Conor Murphy (Sinn Fein)
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I move amendment No.1:

In page 3, between lines 10 and 11, to insert the following:

“Amendment of Section 34 of the National Oil Reserves Agency Act 2007

1. Section 34 of the National Oil Reserves Agency Act is amended by adding a new paragraph after paragraph (2):

“(3) The Minister shall, within three months of the reduction of the NORA levy during the period identified in section 37(1A)(b) coming into effect, prepare and lay before Dáil Éireann a report examining the impact of providing this reduction. The report should assess the impact on cost and affordability across different sectors of the economy including but not exclusive to households, carers and people with disabilities, those living in rural Ireland, and SMEs. The report should conduct the analysis on a county-by-county basis, particularly focusing on counties with a large proportion of their population dependent on home heating oil. The report should also explore alternative measures that could be applied to absorb price shocks.”.”.

I move this amendment in the certain knowledge that the measures brought before us as part of this Bill will not be sufficient and they will not have the impact on households that people have waxed lyrical about here. This amendment gives some attempt at least to come back to this institution within three months to measure properly the impact of these measures on various sectors, particularly on households and those living in rural Ireland. It is a modest request to have some transparency, reporting and accountability to both the Dáil and the Seanad on these measures.

I will make a few other points. Senator Flaherty told us that this is not a full package of measures but then he criticised and attacked those who criticise the paucity of the measures that are in front of us. Not surprisingly, in the absence of any proper argument in support of them, he resorted to mud-slinging and propaganda measures, which demean him and the debate we are trying to have. Nonetheless, that seems to be his stock-in-trade.

The Minister of State made some references to the situation North of the Border. The British Government similarly issued a meagre support, which amounts to approximately £30 per household. If he took sufficient interest to affairs North of the Border, he would realise that the Executive does not have powers over taxation or excise duty and, therefore, cannot intervene in these measures at all. It would be helpful if he were fully aware of facts of how his partners in the North-South Ministerial Council work and the restrictions that apply to them when it comes to the measures they are able to take in this regard. Nonetheless, the amendment is proposing that we would at least get some transparency, accountability and feedback as to how these measures work.

Lorraine Clifford-Lee (Fianna Fail)
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I ask Senator Murphy to remove his comments from the record of the Seanad regarding my colleague, Senator Joe Flaherty. He said that mud-slinging seems to be his stock-in-trade. He is a very fine representative-----

Conor Murphy (Sinn Fein)
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That is the Senator's view.

Lorraine Clifford-Lee (Fianna Fail)
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I have served with him for many years. He is a fine representative who contributes constructively. He does not deserve to be spoken to like that. He referenced a number of things that are true. Paul Quinn was savagely beaten. Every bone in his body-----

Pat Casey (Fianna Fail)
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I remind Members to speak on the-----

Lorraine Clifford-Lee (Fianna Fail)
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I will speak to the amendment but I do not like such accusations being made against my colleagues. We will be opposing the amendment. We need to move this legislation on and get it signed into law.

Joe Flaherty (Fianna Fail)
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As the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and every member of the Government have pointed out, this is an initial suite of measures. Indeed, as the Minister of State said, Sinn Féin is very much taking its lead. It cannot do anything for a few months in the North. It has to wait until July to see how we are getting on. We will certainly advise and apprise it on how these measures are doing. When we need additional measures, we will follow suit.

I have to take issue with Senator Murphy claiming I was engaging in the stock trade of propaganda. There was no propaganda about the death of Paul Quinn, as Senator Murphy knows well because he was forced to apologise to his mother-----

Pat Casey (Fianna Fail)
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I ask Members to speak on the-----

Joe Flaherty (Fianna Fail)
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-----for remarks he made about him. There is no secret-----

Pat Casey (Fianna Fail)
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I ask Senator Flaherty to speak on the amendment.

Joe Flaherty (Fianna Fail)
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-----about your involvement in the illegal trade of washing diesel in Northern Ireland.

Pat Casey (Fianna Fail)
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I am asking the Senator to speak solely on the amendment.

Conor Murphy (Sinn Fein)
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Utter rubbish.

Joe Flaherty (Fianna Fail)
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I will but I will defend Paul Quinn's reputation and name in this House as well-----

Pat Casey (Fianna Fail)
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Not at the moment. We are dealing-----

Conor Murphy (Sinn Fein)
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Senator Flaherty has nothing else to say.

Joe Flaherty (Fianna Fail)
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-----when other parties, including the Senator on the other side of the Chamber, sullied his good name and that of his family.

Pat Casey (Fianna Fail)
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-----with legislation. I ask him to solely speak to the amendment.

Joe Conway (Independent)
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I do not think the amendment suggested by Senator Murphy is outrageous. Having transparency and reportability a few months down the line is a good idea. I am happy to support his amendment.

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Senator for the amendment but we will not be accepting it as a matter of course. Our Department assesses the impact of various policy measures for which it is responsible on an ongoing basis. The Government has established, as I said earlier, the national energy affordability task force. That has a core job in identifying, assessing and implementing measures. There is that element of feedback in terms of enhancing energy affordability for households, delivering key renewable commitments and protecting security of supply along with economic sustainability. That is very much built in. That is now established and in place. Therefore, we will not be accepting the amendment.

Pat Casey (Fianna Fail)
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Does Senator Murphy wish to reply?

Conor Murphy (Sinn Fein)
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No. I am not going to bother getting into the rubbish that has been spoken.

Pat Casey (Fianna Fail)
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When is it proposed to take Report Stage?

Lorraine Clifford-Lee (Fianna Fail)
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Now.

Pat Casey (Fianna Fail)
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Is that agreed? Agreed.

Pat Casey (Fianna Fail)
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When is it proposed to take Fifth Stage?

Lorraine Clifford-Lee (Fianna Fail)
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Now.

Pat Casey (Fianna Fail)
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Is that agreed? Agreed.

Pat Casey (Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister of State for coming in today.