Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the recommitment of EU member states' solidarity with Ukraine as it continues to defend itself against annexation and I welcome the recent withdrawal of Russian forces from one of its regions. I also welcome the Council's intention to explore how the assets legally seized from Russian entities that may have sought to profit from the imperial actions of their President can be used to support Ukraine's reconstruction.

I wish to discuss the issues of energy and the economy, in particular conclusion 18(d), in which reference is made to calling on the Commission to submit concrete decisions urgently on a temporary EU framework to cap the price of gas and electricity generation. I note that mention is made of doing this while preventing gas consumption increasing. I understand why this was mentioned and its importance, but how long is it likely to take the Commission to make such a submission? Has the Commission contacted the Council regarding the progress made to date?

I wish to ask about the progress being made by the Government in putting into action the regulation agreed at European level on a windfall tax. The need for urgency in this regard cannot be overemphasised, but the Government seems to be taking its time in implementing the regulation. I must express my extreme dissatisfaction with the Minister's seemingly relaxed attitude to this, all while households and businesses are struggling. What is the delay in implementing this regulation-----

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