Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will give some consideration to Deputy John Brassil's helpful suggestion that we bring forward the extra week's payment already planned for April. I will have to discuss the matter with the Ministers for Employment Affairs and Social Protection and Public Expenditure and Reform. I suggest to Deputy Pearse Doherty that if we were to assume that leaving the heating on 24/7 would cost €22.50 - the amount of the weekly fuel allowance payment - it would send the wrong message to people. I do not think such a guarantee could be given to them. If we tell them that they can leave on the heating 24/7 and that the Government or somebody else will pick up the bill, regardless of what it is, we will send the wrong message to them.

See this speech in context