Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We use the dividend to enable us to introduce the measures to alleviate the pressure. We have taken measures in respect of excess profits at the energy companies, as the Deputy knows. We have taken those measures and we expect revenues to come in, some before the end of the year, including the windfall tax, and more next year, which we will reallocate back into measures to reduce the pressure on the public.

We will take measures over the coming months to try to ease pressure on people due to energy price increases. That will manifest in the budget and the cost-of-living package, the specifics of which will be announced by the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform. The Economic and Social Research Institute, ESRI, was very clear - it is not me saying it - that we did cushion the most vulnerable and the three to four lowest income deciles in the State. That is independent and objective data and analysis.

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