Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State to the House and look forward to the swift passage of the Bill. It is important legislation that attempts, in so far as possible, to address the crisis many families and individuals will face over the coming months. We all are aware of the spiralling cost of gas, the impact it is having on the electricity market and how that permeates down to each individual household. To some extent, the potential crisis is masked at the moment by the reasonably good weather we have had. Therefore, many homes have not had to increase the heat in their homes, as they often would at this time of year.

This Bill is a pre-emptive strike by the Government and is particularly welcome. It builds on the previous scheme, recognising there were some gaps in the system. Having read the Minister of State's speech and some of the background notes, I see an effort is being made to address the situation of Traveller families who had difficulties accessing the previous scheme because of the way in which their meters were appointed and funded through local authorities, albeit that they ended up paying the charges anyway. We must address that. I understand also, as the Minister of State might confirm in his concluding remarks, that there is an effort to assist the small number of individuals who are in rental accommodation and operating off a bulk meter through a landlord. While I understand an effort is to be made to ensure they get the compensation, I hope it is not just a case of the €200 being spread among up to ten, 15 or 20 people. It should not just be an allocation of €200 per meter but an allocation based on the number of individuals using that meter. The quantum of money must be linked to the number of units rather than just to the meter. I ask the Minister of State to consider that.

There was a haste by some to comment on the approach of the Government in attempting to resolve the difficulties people are suffering. The notion of a blanket cap on the cost of energy from the different suppliers has been bandied around by some to give the impression the Government is not targeting energy producers. The reality is that such a measure has to be done at European level. I see from some within both the media and politics a sort of lazy approach in suggesting a cap can be put on what energy companies may charge. Of course, nothing could be further from the truth. Many people have been led to believe prices can somehow be capped and the energy companies will carry the can. The reality is very different. What would ultimately happen, as is happening in the UK, is the Government would have to plug the gap between the cost to the companies and the price at which they might be forced to sell. This would give no incentive whatsoever to the people who are making an effort to reduce their energy consumption and would have a negative effect in that regard.

Contrary to what some have put forward, those with a very large energy usage, including those who are particularly well off and use vast amounts of electricity, would benefit most. That is the reality. I was in the company of Michael O'Leary when he said he does not need the €600, which I am sure he does not. If we were to cap the price at which electricity is charged and the Government were to subvent the energy companies, it is people like Michael O'Leary - I do not mean to single him out in particular; I am referring generally to individuals who use large amounts of electricity - who would benefit the most. The Government's measure is a progressive approach to assisting those most in need and is to be welcomed.

I listened with interest around the time of the budget to the arguments from Government members that the measures now in place are very much to address what can be perceived as the potential increase in costs, but there is no certainty in this regard. There are fluctuations in the price of oil and gas on a daily basis. From the time one gets up in the morning until one goes to bed, prices increase significantly. The Government indicated, and I hope it follows through on it, that moneys will be kept in reserve to enable it to intervene again should the market require it. That is important. I heard some politicians on budget day being critical of the Government for not being able to give certainty around the cost of energy. We are in a war situation, with the prices fluctuating on the market on a daily basis. Of course no certainty can be given as to where international prices will be in the next few hours, let alone over the coming months. The most important aspect that needs to be highlighted is the commitment by the Government, in so far as it can give such a commitment on behalf of the taxpayer, to retain some moneys that can be provided early next year if that is necessary. The Minister of State might comment on this in his concluding remarks.