Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Doherty. The long and the short answer is yes, we will be engaging with the ESB. We will also, in line with our programme for Government commitment, be engaging on the issue of energy costs overall. I can point to a number of measures the previous Government took and that this Government will be taking in respect of assisting people with their energy costs. People will remember that the previous Government took a number of measures around energy credits in order to assist people, in the here and now, with the cost of bills. The Deputy be aware that these were welcomed by his constituents, by mine and by people right across the country.

The Deputy will know that in the programme for Government we have also made commitments to keep the lower rate of VAT on energy bills and providing people with certainty for the period ahead. These are the practical measures we are taking right now to assist people with bills which can be large and which can make people feel financially insecure. Government will have a conversation with all State agencies and actors regarding energy prices going forward. We are happy to constructively engage on that.

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