Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The weekend before last, there were blackouts right across Cork city. We still do not know the reason. It was a real wake-up call for people in Cork to realise the Government has failed to secure energy despite warnings. People are concerned. Rushing this Bill through the Dáil is fooling no one. Once again, the Government, having ignored the warnings, is now trying to react at the last minute. This should have been planned over the summer. My colleague, Deputy O'Rourke, has been raising concerns about the rushed nature of the Bill. He is right. We need a Government that plans and does not leave everything to the last minute.

The Taoiseach said a number of weeks ago that prepay customers would not be cut off. Now, weeks later, over 400,000 people are waiting for clarity from the Government as to how they will be protected. It is not right for the Taoiseach and other members of the Government to make statements and then not deliver. The onus is therefore on the Government. A statement needs to be made to all the prepay customers. Thankfully, the weather has been good so far but people are worried about the winter. They fear their heating bills, and that needs to be sorted out now.

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