Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Leader and the Cathaoirleach for facilitating the debate on Ukraine last night. A lot of emotion was shown and a clear message was articulated by this House on the ongoing situation in Ukraine.We now need to move onto more focused discussions on Ukraine. We need a specific debate on sanctions. How will the sanctions impact on us? What is the role of the IFSC? We all know if we cut the money supply we will have some chance. We need to get an understanding of the sanctions, how they work and how we can play a leading role in ensuring sanctions are implemented to the letter of the law. We also need a focused debate on what happens to the vulnerable people who succeed in getting out of Ukraine. What will we do? Is there a national plan in place to facilitate the thousands of Ukrainians who will come to this country? This is with regard to practical measures such as providing shelter, food and accommodation. We need to lead the charge in debates on these two issues.

We also have the situation in our own country as a result of increasing inflation and what is happening internationally. We are seeing prices rocket. I want a debate on the role of the energy regulator in regulating utilities and specifically the non-ESB electricity providers. Recently I engaged with someone in business who signed a contract with Panda for 16 cent per unit. He ended up being charged 34 cent. The company pointed out the small print allowed it to do so. It is appalling that Panda would do this. What was even more worrying was that the energy regulator maintained it had no role in dealing with disputes on pricing. What is the point in having a regulator if it has no role in dealing with disputes on pricing? We need a debate on what exactly is the role of the energy regulator and how we can improve that role. Clearly this will be an issue.