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

The policy tools are differential pricing, which now exists, and also the Government ad information campaign encouraging people to reduce energy use and, where possible, to use energy at times when it is more efficient. I would never tell anyone when they should or should not cook the dinner but it is fair to say that when it comes to things like using the washing machine or putting on the dishwasher, it is possible to do that in the morning or at night-time, rather than between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.

The windfall tax does not quite exist yet; it must be legislated for. We have not raised any money from it yet, so no decisions have been made as to how it will be spent. It is additional revenue that we will have next year to assist us in reducing the cost of energy for people and businesses, if needs be.

I agree with the points the Deputy made about solar and micro-renewables but I would be disinclined to fund that from windfall tax because it will have to be sustained rather than being a once-off.

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