Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Joe O’Brien, to the House. I thank the Civil Engagement Group for tabling the motion. Clearly, all is not well and that is why the motion is before us - that is the reality. Despite what people might like to think, or might like to peddle, there are real issues about poverty and exclusion. Like any motion, there is no point coming into this House and just talking words, and none of us disagreeing or challenging the core issues of such an important motion. This motion from the Civil Engagement Group is a rallying call to action. There is no point in us reiterating what people already know.

At the outset, I want to thank Senators Ruane, Higgins, Black and Flynn and the Civil Engagement Group for preparing what is a very important and timely motion. I would like to think that, from here on, if we agree with it, we would agree with the commitments in it. There are many asks in this motion and, therefore, to be successful, we want commitments from the Minister of State that he and his Department are going to deliver on the asks. In the limited time that I have, I want to focus on the issue of energy policy. I note that one of the key asks in the motion is the re-establishment of an independent combat poverty agency or a similar independent statutory body, empowered and resourced to develop long-term anti-poverty strategies, carry out important research and lead the Government's anti-poverty response. I fully support those asks, as I do with all other asks in this important motion.

As a said, I want to use my limited time to focus on energy policy. Recommendations for a new energy poverty strategy were submitted to the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications by a group of important organisations, which include Age Action, Clondalkin Travellers Development Group, Community Law & Mediation, FLAC, Friends of the Earth Ireland, Independent Living Movement Ireland, the Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed, the Irish Heart Foundation, Irish Rural Link, the Irish Traveller Movement, the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice, MABS, the Northside Partnership, Not Here Not Anywhere, Pavee Point and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, to name but a few. Clearly, the absence of a coherent strategy has left a number of groups seriously concerned. Their concerns are about the local income of householders and vulnerable groups, particularly those exposed to the energy crisis and its cost. This group of people who made contact with the Minister of State highlighted recommendations on seven key principles to underpin what they describe as a new energy poverty strategy that would - this is important for the Minister of State - align with justice and climate action, and would also address inequalities and ensure the cost does not fall unfairly on the marginalised and vulnerable groups that we are talking about tonight.

We need to commit to deliver an energy poverty Act and I ask the Minister of State whether the Government is prepared to do that. Is the Government going to produce an energy poverty Act to ensure accountability and a long-term political commitment towards the eradication of energy poverty? It is a very important issue. While I do not necessarily like the cliché “heat or eat”, the reality is that it is the same groups that are suffering in terms of costs, providing for their families and providing food, and energy is important.

The Combat Poverty Agency did an amazing amount of work. Clearly, this motion asks for its re-establishment. I would strongly commend the call for the establishment of a combat poverty agency or a similar independent statutory body but, importantly, one that is empowered with the adequate resources to develop and monitor the independent poverty strategy. What is important is its independence, its remove from Government, its remove from any Ministry, and for it to be able to independently give a critical analysis of the Government's action in regard to these matters.

I commend the Civil Engagement Group Senators on bringing this important motion before the House. I do not know what sort of response the Minister of State is going to give to the House but I ask that a full commitment would be given to the asks in this motion, if it is to be meaningful. I thank the Civil Engagement Group for their work in this regard.