I thank the Deputy for raising this subject. It is one of real concern, particularly for those parents and children who were expecting to be able to get concessionary tickets but are unable to do so. I listened intently to the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, speaking on a television programme last night about some parts of the details she spoke about in the Joint Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. It is important for us to reflect on the fact that we have s…

This is one of the contributions the Department of Transport will be presenting.

I fully agree with the Deputy. To back up his argument, and particularly the last point he made, I believe that if we become reliant on social media feeds where we only hear from people of the same views, that will result in a deepening sense of division and a coarsening of society. It will lead to a disparaging of other people in a way that is not good for our health, our souls or our future. Dr. Mike Ryan from the World Health Organization said at a conference yesterday that he has never before felt as threatened…

I will certainly pass the Deputy's reflections on to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Michael McGrath, and the Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe. Returning to what I said in response to an earlier question, one of the measures we must introduce in the budget is some sort of support for SME employers because of the energy price increases. This would be done very much with a view to try to avoid job losses. This might be a better way of approaching this issue, rather than the State trying to …

We do. The energy regulator has a key role. She is constantly looking at what the ESB is doing, particularly in ESB Networks and EirGrid, the other transmission company, to make sure that the investment needed to get that kettle to boil does not lead to an excess profit to the company. She is involved directly in making sure that the return they get is not an excess profit but that we have the ability to make sure every kettle and every light turns on every time we flick the switch.

I agree with the Deputy. My party supported the referendum and recommended a vote in favour. I only wish Cork had done the same and that Dublin had a similar opportunity. It is frustrating that it has taken longer than we might have liked and expected but I am confident in the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke. Certainly, there is no obstacle as I see it in terms of the nature of powers or the mechanisms.

It has taken longer than I would like but it is important we get that choice to the Limerick people quickly and use that as an example that can inspire other cities.

There were four questions. First, Deputy Richmond made the case. It backs up what was said earlier around trying to understand the problems in our towns and cities, including anti-social behaviour and our youth, and trying to intervene early. As I understand it, the fund he mentioned would be directed towards that approach and that would seem to make the case for that. I cannot commit to what will be in the budget but he Deputy made the case well. With regard to Deputy Ryan, I am not sure if she was able to attend …

I intend to accept this amendment. We introduced the provisions in the Bill relating to CCTV as amendments on Committee Stage. As I explained then, the reason we needed to address this issue was that it had come to our attention that the systems of cameras used by Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, and local authorities to monitor traffic and assist with traffic management, as well as with enforcement, did not have a proper underpinning in law. The CCTV provisions we have inserted are designed to capture what T…

I thank the Deputy for raising important issues. Turning specifically to amendment No. 16 in this grouping, I introduced provisions into the Bill on Committee Stage to underpin the creation of an office to be called zero emission vehicles Ireland. It is intended that this office will play an important role in advancing us towards our target of having 1 million electric vehicles on our roads by 2030. In establishing ZEVI and developing electric vehicle policy, the intention has always been that the concept of electr…

The ZEVI office has already been established on an administrative basis, pending the passing of this legislation.

I thank the Deputy for raising these matters. These amendments relate to provisions we have put into the Bill to give an underpinning to the BusConnects projects. Section 44 provides for the insertion of a new section 51AA into the Roads Act 1993. This new provision in the Roads Act provides for an extension of An Bord Pleanála’s existing powers. The board currently has the power to materially contravene a development plan under sections 37(2)(a) and 37G(6) of the Planning and Development Act. The Bill aims to stre…

I thank the Deputies for raising these important matters of our time. Clearly, the current situation we are witnessing regarding significant increases in energy bills and the cost of living is a matter of serious concern. The Government is keenly aware of the growing pressures this is placing on families and businesses, particularly households on lower and middle incomes. The increasing cost of energy is an issue that affects not just Ireland but all EU member states. Increased international gas prices because of t…

The unprecedented increase and volatility in international wholesale gas market prices has continued as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This, in turn, has led to increases in energy bills, given the link between the wholesale price of gas and electricity prices. The Government has already put a €24 billion package of measures in place and further measures are being considered for budget 2023. Under the electricity costs emergency benefit scheme, we made a payment of €176.22 to almost 2.2 million domest…

No, I do not. The reason we are following the measures we are is that I think the alternative presented by Sinn Féin would be less progressive. Its proposal for a cap on electricity prices seems to be very similar to what the Tory Party in the UK is proposing. It would give a direct benefit to the energy companies, which I do not think is what we need to do at this time.

As I understand the proposal by the Deputy's party, it would benefit the wealthiest households that use the most energy. Putting a cap in would enable those households to keep consuming energy in a way that would benefit them more than it would poorer households. I do not believe the alternative proposals being presented would give a better outcome. They are full of potential for eventual, knock-on consequences that would be deeply damaging to the State. We can agree or disagree on that but it is my assessment of t…

There is no U-turn. I work very closely with the Spanish Minister and find we agree on a lot. I do not believe the measures introduced in Spain would work well here and that is why I prefer the approach we are taking. There were knock-on consequences in Spain, including a massive transfer of exports of energy to France, from which the latter benefited. There would potentially be the same consequences here. We could see a major transfer of wealth from Ireland to Britain if we adopt the exact same measures. Different…

-----I again make the point that this would benefit the wealthiest households and the energy industries. I do not think that is what we need to do at this time.

The Deputy put climate at the centre of her question. I asked the consultants, CEPA, to look forward at the security situation of both our electricity grids and gas supplies and to look at options. In my mind, it benefits us to have a storage capability in gas and to look at that specific aspect of it. We wanted to rule out options that would not help us to meet our climate targets. That is why certain options are now proposed to go to public consultation, which we are doing. Following that, they will be implemente…

The report is very clear that such a commercial LNG facility was not considered as an option to go to public consultation and be progressed. Friends of the Earth is correct in its reading - it is a very simple reading, in my mind - of the report. There is a range of strategic reasons behind that. From my perspective, first, there is real risk in following such an approach. It would be very good for the developer but it would not be good for our carbon budget. On that criterion alone, it should not be pursued. Secon…