Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Inné, d'ardaigh mé ceist maidir le cúrsaí bochtanachta in Éirinn, ach bhí an oiread díograis ar an gCeannaire a bheith ag tabhairt amach faoi pholasaí Shinn Fein sa Tuaisceart nár fhreagair sé an cheist. Yesterday I asked for a debate on poverty and I do not believe there was clarification from the Leader in that respect. In his zeal to have a go at Sinn Féin's policy in the North, he disregarded the question, so I am raising the matter again. Some 2,479 domestic customers have had their gas supply cut, 4,181 households had electricity disconnected and gas and electricity prices have risen by an average of 30%. We heard this morning that the ESB saw revenue rise to ¤3.26 billion in 2012, up from ¤2.91 billion the previous year, and the company made ¤190 million in profit.

It is encouraging to see a semi-State body making a profit, as we have always argued that this can happen and we should not be selling them. Nevertheless, we must ask the question of on whose back the profit is being made. The company indicated in its annual report that it would pay a dividend of ¤78 million to the State, although energy prices remain stubbornly high. I call for a debate with the relevant Minister on the way the ¤78 million in cash windfall to the State will be spent. These profits should be used to ensure that disconnections are minimised and the profits should not be used to pay the large salaries of people in the ESB. That echoes the comments of Senator Mullins.

We should have a debate on the profits made by semi-State bodies and the ESB in particular, as well as how the ¤78 million to be handed back to the Exchequer could be used to alleviate pressure on households which are finding it very difficult in the days in which letters about property tax are being received. They are finding it very hard to pay electricity and gas bills and we should debate how this money could be used to help alleviate their position.