I am very pleased to address the House on the Second Stage of the Bill. I thank Senators for the opportunity to present this Bill. As they will be aware, the Russian invasion of Ukraine in early 2022 led to exceptionally high energy prices. The Government is aware of the resulting financial strain on households and businesses in Ireland and has introduced numerous supports for homes and businesses to offset the increase. This includes a package of once-off, cost-of-living supports worth €2.5 billion in budget 2023 …

We intend to introduce an amendment to deal with a matter of double counting. I do not have the text of it yet. I wanted to flag it in advance. I thank Senators for contributing and I will make some points in response. To respond to Senator Boylan, no one has a monopoly on concern about householders. The Government has just as much concern about trying to keep bills down and help our people. We are all elected to these two Houses. We all have an interest in looking after householders. This is why we are introducing…

I thank each of the Deputies for contributing to what is a hugely important debate. Almost everyone in this House would have personal experience of the tragedy that is the loss of a life or serious injury on the road, whether of friends or family. It leaves such a black hole and has such a devastating impact on all concerned. We have to do everything we can to try to reduce road deaths and serious injuries which cause such hurt and harm. We were seeing real progress. The figures back in 1997 were shocking, with 472…

"Yes" is the answer to the Deputy's question. We are putting pressure on the NTA on the back of an incredible change in rural transport in particular. We are launching a new public transport service in rural Ireland every week, and the numbers are incredible. People are flocking to it. There was a 112% increase year on year last year, particularly among younger people in part because for anyone under 26 there is now an effective 60% reduction in fares. Because of that huge increase in the number of routes, the numb…

I move the following Resolutions: 1. THAT section 473B of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (No. 39 of 1997), which contains provisions in relation to relief for certain payments of rent, be amended in the manner and to the extent specified in the Act giving effect to this Resolution. 2. THAT section 784A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (No. 39 of 1997), which contains provisions for the taxation treatment of Approved Retirement Funds, be amended in the manner and to the extent specified in the Act giving effect…

I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." As we know, the high cost of energy brought on by the volatility in the wholesale gas market has had a significant impact on the cost of living for many people. While the price reductions announced by the main energy suppliers in recent weeks are welcome, the average price of electricity and gas is still significantly higher for households compared to pre-energy crisis levels and support is still needed for households. In this context, I am introducing this Bill, w…

I will finish on this. ESB Networks will also, on the effective dates, notify suppliers of the sums they will transfer to them for the purposes of the scheme.

I very much regret that I had to leave briefly to attend to other business but I am very glad to have heard a good number of Deputies from the Opposition and Government benches. I very much appreciate what I sense is their support for this Bill. While recognising that it is a very speedy process, where we were not able to have pre-legislative scrutiny on the Bill, I believe the public would prefer us to be quick here so that we have a large number of households getting the first of the credits for the Christmas per…

I move amendment No. 5: In page 7, line 9, to delete “assigned”. I will address amendments Nos. 5 to 7. Following the publication of the Bill, an anomaly was found within the text of section 4 "functions of the distribution system operator" in relation to this No. III scheme. This amendment is required to enable the distribution system operator, DSO, to notify each supplier of meter point reference numbers, MPRNs, that has low-usage electricity that it is not held by a registered vulnerable customer or a holder of …

I move amendment No. 6: In page 7, line 11, to delete “and”.

I move amendment No. 7: In page 7, line 12, to insert the following: “(ii) the meter point registration number for each low usage electricity account which is not held by a registered vulnerable customer or a holder of a hardship meter account, and”.

I am afraid I cannot accept proposed amendment No. 10, which relates to section 6 of the Bill and the review by electricity suppliers for customers who did not receive payment under the scheme. While I very much thank the Deputy for the suggested additions, I do not intend to accept them. The proposed amendments of Part 3 and Part 4 seek to include a limit of 28 days for a supplier to consider a review request, and 28 days to respond in writing to review requests. While I recognise the merit and the motivation of t…

I thank Deputy O'Rourke. Section 10 of the Bill requires the CRU to report to me as Minister on the performance of the distribution system operator and electricity suppliers in their respective functions under the legislation. We also intend to have a post-enactment scrutiny report, to be published approximately 12 months after the passing of the Bill. Under the energy poverty action plan approved by the Government in December 2022, which is overseen by a cross-departmental steering group chaired by the Department,…

Yes. It was the shock.

I thank the Deputies opposite for allowing the speedy passage of the Bill. Irish householders will be appreciative of it. While the Leas-Cheann Comhairle was reading out the Title I was watching how the officials were literally following the letter of the law because that is what we are drafting. This legislation is not insignificant. It is a €1 billion payment to the Irish people from the Irish people to help us through the very difficult period we have in the world today with high energy prices. I thank the depar…

I want to join the Taoiseach and Tánaiste in commending the budget to the House, as the third party in a coalition Government that is working collectively to serve our people to the best of our ability. That is our entire focus. This budget does it and I want to set out why, in a very uncertain world, in a very difficult time. Some of my colleagues have to leave for a Council of State meeting. I wish them well. It is a very uncertain and difficult time. In the lifetime of this Government we have had to manage Covid…

I move Financial Resolution No. 1: (1) THAT for the purposes of the tax charged by virtue of section 95 of the Finance Act 1999 (No. 2 of 1999), that Act be amended, with effect as on and from 11 October 2023, by the substitution of the following for Schedule 2 to that Act: “SCHEDULE 2 R ates of M ineral O il T ax " (2) IT is hereby declared that it is expedient in the public interest that this Resolution shall have statutory effect under the provisions of the Provisional Collection of Taxes Act 1927 (No. 7 of 1927…

The people-----

I only have a minute or two, and I have a problem in that I have to respond to the personal commentary-----

I have the greatest respect for the Deputies opposite and they know that. Our offices used to be opposite each other and we always got on very well. I therefore find it strange when such personal invective is used. I was thinking about how to respond. Let us talk about Dingle. Let us go down to Dingle. Every place and every person matters. I absolutely respect the mandate of every voter who voted for Deputy Healy-Rae, as I am sure he respects every voter who voted for me. Dingle is a very interesting place that is …