David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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This topic has been discussed over many years. The former Deputy Tommy Broughan, the late Senator Feargal Quinn and I and, most recently, Senator Tim Lombard have raised this issue in these Houses. Numerous reports have been carried out here and abroad on this. The fact of the matter is that approximately 12 days from now, winter will have arrived. The clocks will go back one hour and we will have dark evenings. One week from now, sunset will be at 6:20 p.m. and two weeks from now, it will be dark just after 5 p.m.

Many arguments have been put forward over the years with regard to road safety and the benefit to tourism of having brighter evenings; this would also benefit shopping, retail, farming and recreation and, even in the United States, it was found that when an adjustment was made, crime levels fell because criminals like darkness - they do not like light.

In July, the EU Ministers reached a political agreement on a voluntary reduction of natural gas demand by 15% this winter. The world changed on 24 February 2022 and the big imperative now is energy. Arguments have been made and people such as Professor Aoife Foley have said that if we maintain summertime, households could save between €250 and €400 per year. We would also reach the situation of reducing the gas and electricity we use and have longer evenings for all kinds of reasons. The world changed on 24 February when Russia invaded Ukraine. We must do all we can in Ireland and in Europe to reduce energy consumption and the amount of electricity we use. One argument is that it be done by not moving the clocks. Another is that the moving of the clocks be deferred.

I note that in Ireland, for instance, we moved the clocks forward on 27 March. In the United States, it was done two weeks earlier on 13 March. On the other side of the year, in Ireland, we move the clocks back on 30 October and in the United States they wait until 6 November. The United States has gained three weeks of summertime. We could do more than that. We could move the clocks in the spring in early February and, again, a bit later at this time of the year if it would be palatable to have summertime all year round.

It would save quite a lot of money for people and there would be many other benefits as well. Private Members' Bills have been discussed in these Houses and in committees over the years. Europe has said we can do it. I know there are issues with Northern Ireland and the UK but perhaps it is time now, in light of what is happening in Ukraine, to have a serious discussion about this to see whether we can save energy and bring all of the other benefits that have been discussed, looked at and agreed over many years to this issue.

Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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I convey the apologies of my colleague, the Minster for Justice, Deputy McEntee, who regrets she cannot be here for this matter due to another commitment. On behalf of the Minister, I thank Deputy Stanton for raising this important matter here today and for giving me the opportunity to provide clarity on some issues. The question of deterring or delaying daylight saving time to wintertime is a complex one and one to which the Department of Justice has given careful consideration for some time. Deputy Stanton has always given this careful consideration as well.

Ireland is currently party to an EU-wide arrangement on this issue. In 2019, MEPs voted in favour of forgoing seasonal clock changes. There is, as a result of this vote, an ongoing proposal under discussion within the EU working party on transport for an EU directive to discontinue seasonal clock changes.

The European Commission's proposal would have particular implications for the island of Ireland, especially in the context of the UK's withdrawal from the European Union. The Department of Justice sought to understand the potential impact of the Commission's proposal before reaching a conclusive decision. It is important to be mindful of the long-term consequences that such a change would amount to in people's daily lives. With that, a wide-ranging public survey, stakeholder engagement and a public-opinion poll were conducted in the context of developing Ireland's position on this proposal.

The results of the Department of Justice's detailed consultations demonstrated that abolishing seasonal clock changes could negatively affect the lives of many. It was discovered that the overwhelming majority of respondents would not be in favour of any change that would result in two time zones on the island of Ireland, which would inevitably lead to increased difficulties for business and the general public. It is vital that undue barriers to trade are not erected by changes in policy and this was communicated clearly by the public during the consultation process.

More generally, in the context of the EU proposal, Ireland's position along with that of a number of other member states has reflected concern that the proposal could reduce synchronicity and result in a patchwork of time zones across the EU, thereby causing unnecessary confusion in the Single Market.

Ireland has supported a call for a full impact assessment of this proposal to be carried out prior to any final decisions being made at EU level. We will await the conclusions of such an assessment and further decisions made by the EU Commission before reaching a resolution.

The Deputy makes some very pertinent arguments. The argument would be much stronger if the United Kingdom had not voted for Brexit, but these are problems we face on the island of Ireland. On a positive point, I live in the west of Ireland where we normally have a little more rain than on the east coast but, as the Leas-Cheann Comhairle would understand, we have ten minutes extra in the evening. Sometimes it is a joy to behold and people living on the east and south coasts miss out on it.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State for letting us know he lives on the bright side of Ireland. Long may he continue to enjoy that. I agree with him that the main stumbling block is having two time zones on the island of Ireland. A number of years ago there was a Private Member's Bill in the House of Commons proposing to maintain summertime all year round. It ran out of time but there was much support for it. If time had not run out on it, we might not be discussing this today. It was very close. I believe the Prime Minister of the time was in favour of it as well but it ran into the sand and has not been resurrected since. Other things have taken over.

As I said earlier, the world has changed since last February. Energy security and energy costings are very important. I noticed today the UK is fearful of having blackouts and having gas curtailed. That could impact on us as well. We must do everything we can to avoid that. I remember that in the 1970s the clocks did not change because of a similar energy crisis. The Leas-Cheann Comhairle probably recalls it too as she is likely of the same vintage as me. I remember being in a classroom when the sun was coming up at dawn because we were conserving energy. It worked then and could work now. This certainly deserves debate. I agree with the Minister of State that all of Europe, the UK and Ireland should jump together on this one. We do not want a patchwork of time zones.

I ask that the Minister for Justice go back to Europe and consult colleagues. We live in a different time with respect to energy security, energy supply and energy cost. I mentioned all the other benefits that come from this as well. Now is the time to start talking about it. It too late to change it ahead of the upcoming adjustment at the end of this month, but perhaps in the spring we might be talking and making different points, and people might decide to change earlier rather than moving it forward. I cannot understand why we are so far away from the equinox in springtime either. It should be changed in early February and let us have the summer early.

Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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I again thank the Deputy for raising the matter. I will bring his concerns and views back to the Minister. As I outlined, it is important any decision made with regard to seasonal clock changes take account of the wider impact these changes would make. The Department of Justice's engagement with the public has shown the people are keenly aware of these impacts.

The Government has introduced a number of targeted measures in budget 2023 to increase energy efficiency, such as increasing the funding to the better energy, warmer homes scheme. This will allow homeowners on low incomes to upgrade the energy efficiency of their homes. The small firms investment in energy efficiency scheme will provide a grant to companies to encourage capital investment in projects to reduce carbon emissions. The €600 energy credit for household and the temporary business energy support scheme will also assist in reducing the impact of the increased cost of energy.

The Department of Justice will continue to engage at EU level on the issue of seasonal clock changes and ensure Ireland's interests are taken into account throughout the decision-making process. The Deputy is right to say we need to conserve energy. His proposal sounds very reasonable to me. If all the countries in Europe, the UK and the island of Ireland were to jump together, we would have a good chance. The war in Ukraine has brought huge challenges. I will not say huge opportunities but there are areas where we can try to conserve energy. It is vital. I am watching the EirGrid dashboard every day. As a politician, one hopes the wind blows as much as possible and that it remains relatively mild, but there are challenging times ahead.