Shane Ross (Independent)

It is unforgivable that it should happen at this time. This is a well-paid workforce where people earn up to €70,000 per year, with some, I suspect, earning a great deal more. This body is owned by the Government, although a semantic defence is put that it is private sector under partnership. That is nonsense. The ESB is owned and controlled by the Government. It was refreshing to hear the Minister, Deputy Gormley, state, courageously, that he was concerned about this issue. Concern is not enough. The Government has the power to direct the ESB not to pay this exorbitant increase. Otherwise, the national solidarity we are discussing will be broken left, right and centre by people. One cannot blame them. Everybody will take what they can get away with. The problem here is they are being allowed to get away with it by the Government and the Opposition, including all Members, who make exhortations to people to help the national effort.

The Leader might allow us to have an answer to that by inviting the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Ryan, to the House.