Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Government and Tesco have a lot in common. Both seem to operate under the motto: "Every little helps". However, the problem is that often what is needed is not the little helps, but the big and bold policy moves such as making Ireland energy-efficient and independent. One such move could have involved supporting the Shannon LNG project or other forms of industrial exploration. Instead, all we get is a disconnected and semi-utopian reliance on renewables such as wind energy, which will in all likelihood never provide the kind of energy security we need.

It is the kind of energy security that would make the credits we are legislating for here totally unnecessary.

I draw the Minister of State's attention to the fact that during Leaders' Questions a few months ago I asked for the energy providers to be held to account and brought before the committee. I do not understand why that is not done. They are making profits. Giving credits to people is covering for these companies. It is not holding them to account for this. It is merely a sticking plaster over a wound and it is not fair on businesses or households. In my constituency many businesses have closed because of exorbitant energy costs, which is just not acceptable.

I also highlight, in regard to credits, the issue reported on by Sean Murray in the Irish Examinera few weeks ago, when he noted that 14,000 electricity account holders did not receive the first tranche of €200 in credits issued by the Government. That means that over €2.4 million was given back to the Exchequer. This mess needs to be sorted out urgently.

See this speech in context