Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State and his officials and thank them for their work on this Bill, which is the Second Stage of the Electricity Costs (Emergency Measures) Domestic Accounts Bill 2024. The Minister of State has set it out clearly in his note before us here and in his opening speech, and it is also clearly set out in the explanatory memorandum. In essence, this is two payments of up to €125, which will affect 2.2 million domestic account holders. Let us keep it simple; it is a good news story. The Minister of State indicated that it needs to be communicated well by his Department and his officials. There are many different players within this market and that is very important.

I am fully supportive of this Bill. I know Senator Warfield has a number of amendments. I do not know how the Minister of State proposes to take them but that will be on the next Stage but I generally welcome this Bill. It is an important measure.

One thing I want to say is that I am always amazed by the issue of VAT when you see our bills and the amount of VAT. I would have thought the Government would have looked at the VAT issue here. Going forward in a new Administration, which it is likely we will have very soon in a matter of weeks, there will be the issue of VAT, which is going back into the coffers of the State. On the one hand, we are charging people VAT and then we are banging ourselves over the head saying how wonderful we are because we are going to give people back two payments of €125. The issue of VAT on what is essential energy to heat or to light people's homes or whatever is a question which should be revisited. That is just a by-the-way. I am not making an issue of it other than this is an opportunity for me to say it. We very much need to be looking at VAT on our bills. When we look at services on our bills and then look at VAT on our bills versus our consumption, it is a bit of an issue.

I spoke to the Minister of State and recognise that this is something that he wishes to push. I recognise there is a general election ahead and that this is good news for the Government but I see a bigger picture. It is good news for the 2.2 million consumers and I am supportive of that.