Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

They are getting €600 in three lump sums to help with their bills. The Government has been working very hard and is about to introduce significant measures for the SME sector. We have done a large amount at European level. We have gone to the European Union and worked together with all the other governments and we have made these decisions together. We have taken action to attract new gas supplies into the European market, including for ourselves. European Union countries have stored 90% of their requirements. Many Deputies, including Deputy Murnane O'Connor, to be fair to her, welcomed the regulation on an emergency intervention to address high energy prices. That is about demand reduction, but there is also a cap on energy companies making excessive profits from renewables and other sources as well as making a solidarity contribution from fossil fuel profits. One Deputy asked about the delay, but if he had read the regulation, we are required to comply with it from 1 December. There is extensive work involved in doing that. I accept the price of energy is a key consideration for us, but the businesses in Deputy O'Donoghue's constituency, in my constituency and throughout the country also need security of supply. We must make sure we can give them the supply. There are two sides to the equation: getting the price down and making sure we have the supply. The Government has been entirely focused on that. By any measure, we have achieved substantial results in the face of the crisis and we will continue to work on the situation as well.

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