Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I want to ask the Minister of State a straight question and I hope he will give me a straight answer. When will the windfall tax be legislated for, when it will be introduced, what period will it apply for and how much will it bring in? I noticed that initial estimates were in the region of €1.9 billion and the lower estimates are in the region of €200 million to €300 million, which is a significant difference.

I will ask another straight question. Has the Minister or the Minister of State met the energy companies? Have they met ESB, Bord Gáis, SSE Airtricity and Energia to discuss this and insist that they pass on the price reductions? The Minister of State said himself that prices peaked in August and they have been reducing ever since but we have seen no commensurate reduction in the cost to consumers. Has the Minister of State met the energy companies and has he insisted that they pass on the reduction and do it now?

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