John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Taoiseach for taking the question. I have enjoyed reading NESC reports on and off for the last 30 years. I noticed that one of the most recent ones, which was also referenced by the Taoiseach, was in regard to energy poverty. Successive Governments have introduced schemes like the warmer homes scheme, which is very valuable, and we also have the fuel allowance. These cost the State significant amounts of money and it is right that the Exchequer pays this money out. However, it has often struck me that for a local authority like my own, South Dublin County Council, which has a housing stock of, say, 8,000 to 10,000 homes, the Government could mandate it to look at bulk buying of energy for social homes. NESC could also examine this. For example, South Dublin County Council could enter into negotiations with Bord Gáis, Energia or Electric Ireland to say that it has 10,000 homes and wants the company to give it a rate. Even though the customers are all individual bill payers, this would not contravene GDPR or their privacy rights. It could significantly reduce the cost of energy to those homes over time. I ask the Taoiseach to comment.

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