Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)

Of course we should be pushing towards renewable energy but it is the way that the PSO levy is disproportionately put on low- and middle-income earners that is the problem. It is unfair and unlikely to accelerate decarbonisation in the households we go to where they have solid fuel at the front of their houses and are reliant on it.

Regarding electricity, the additional costs on household bills should instead be placed on the larger emitters. I do not see how the Minister can possibly disagree with that. Regarding gas and home heating oil, I refer to halting the carbon tax increases and reversing the past two years of carbon taxes. The Minister believes these taxes will accelerate decarbonisation. I believe they will not with ordinary poorer people who are reliant on solid fuels.

I am asking the Government to address energy affordability by reviewing the way it is tackling it, including the PSO levy and the network charges. I hope that will have the support of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and, if they turn up, the regional Independents, if they continue to support the Government.

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