Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy again for his question. Unfortunately, we are a price taker in the energy market and we have so much to do in that regard. It is good to note the reduction of about 40% in the wholesale cost of energy but that needs to be passed on to businesses and indeed on to the consumer to make us more competitive.

On the Deputy's question in respect of Cork County Council, as I understand, it in the past half an hour €114,000 has been paid out. Another payment run will be happening this week. That is exceptionally low. I spoke with the chairperson of the County and City Management Association, CCMA, finance committee last night and I have written to all local authorities this morning. It is important to note that some local authorities have paid out over 90% and some are trailing.

We need to work hard over the next week to ensure that this money is paid into the bank accounts of businesses. I would welcome the Deputy's support in engaging with Cork County Council to ensure that is the case. I will be doing everything along with the Ministers of State, Deputies Calleary and Higgins, and working hands-on with the chief executives to get this money into the bank accounts of businesses. The critical thing is they have the money. Some 50% of this total allocation has been paid out and is now in the bank accounts of all the local authorities. We need it to be transferred into the bank accounts of the businesses.

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