I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "notes that the Government: — remains deeply concerned about the conflict in the Middle East and Gulf region; — is acutely aware of the impact on households and businesses of the recent increases in the cost of living, and is actively monitoring the current geopolitical situation and its impact on costs; — affirms that affordability is a priority for this Government; and — has taken action to help households and businesses with the cost of fuel and energy, by introducing one of the most comprehensive support packages in the European Union (EU); affirms that: — the Government is deeply aware of the pressures placed on households and businesses by cost-of-living pressures; — the National Energy Affordability Taskforce (NEAT) was established in June 2025, to identify, assess and implement measures that will enhance energy affordability for households and businesses, while delivering key renewables commitments and protecting security of supply and economic stability; — in recent months, the Government introduced a €750 million package of fuel supports, which is among the largest per capita of any EU state; — these measures have been further extended until 1st September, 2026, at an estimated cost of €270 million; — the Value-Added Tax (VAT) rate on electricity bills has been reduced to 9 per cent, until 2030; — enhanced social protection payments have been introduced, including an increase to the fuel allowance rate, and an expansion of the eligibility rules; — successive budgets have provided targeted support to help households with cost-of-living pressures; — the NEAT continues to work intensively on an energy affordability action plan to be submitted to the Government in quarter 3 of this year; — this action plan will be focused on short-, medium- and long-term measures, to support households and businesses to meet energy costs; — the action plan will be built on four key pillars: — addressing the price; — sustainable demand and enhancing flexibility; — addressing energy poverty and customer protections; and — energy affordability for businesses; — this will be a crucial element of the Government's work to improve competitiveness, complementing the current Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity; — a range of protections are in place for customers experiencing difficulties in paying their bills, including through the Department of Social Protection, who can provide support through the Additional Needs Payment, to help households meet expenses, including those who face difficulties with fuel bills; — a record capital budget of €640 million, including €558 million from carbon tax receipts, has been allocated to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, supporting 73,000 home energy upgrades to make homes warmer, healthier and more comfortable, with lower emissions and lower bills; — the allocation also includes a record €340 million for the Warmer Homes Scheme, which provides fully funded upgrades for those in energy poverty and is targeting 11,500 upgrades this year; — Ireland has legally binding targets for the collection and recycling of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, and the Deposit Re-turn Scheme is ensuring we meet those targets; — the fully refundable deposit amount balances affordability with incentivising consumers to return the empty container, and the return rate of nearly 77 per cent shows that this is working; — under the EU accounting framework, reporting and disclosure obligations are determined primarily by the size of a company, with different requirements applying to micro-, small-, medium-sized and large undertakings, reflecting the principle that reporting obligations should be proportionate to the scale of the business, and is applied consistently across the EU; — accordingly, grocery retailers are subject to the same accounting and disclosure requirements as other companies of a comparable size, and companies operating in Ireland, including those connected with other EU member states, are subject to harmonised reporting frameworks under EU law; — any proposal to introduce additional reporting obligations, for a particular sector, would therefore need to be considered in the context of Ireland's obligations under the EU accounting framework, and the existing size-based system of corporate reporting; — Budget 2026 reduced the VAT rate for the construction and supply of qualifying apartments and apartment blocks, from 13.5 per cent to 9 per cent, until the end of 2030, as part of a social policy to deliver higher density housing; — a 0 per cent VAT rate may be applied to a maximum of seven of any of the categories included under Annex III of the EU VAT Directive, however, as Ireland already applies the 0 per cent rate to the maximum number of categories, there is no scope to expand this to the construction of new housing; — the national housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025-2030, contains a suite of measures to support domestic and international investment in the delivery of new rental properties, in particular, the supply of new apartments; — the recently enacted Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2026, provides improved security of tenure for tenants, while also encouraging more private investment in the rental market; and — the Act, effective from 1st March, 2026, introduced a national system of rent control, with rent increases to be capped by inflation, measured by the Consumer Price Index, and in times of high inflation, rent increases are capped at a maximum of 2 per cent; and further notes that: — the latest Eurostat report, comparing electricity prices across the EU, outlines that Ireland had the 5th highest for household electricity prices in the second half of 2025, when adjusted to take account of the 'Purchasing Power Standard', i.e., practical affordability, taking account of household income and so on; — the most recent report from the Commission for Regulation of Utilities shows that 319,000 (14 per cent) of domestic electricity customers were in arrears in March, unchanged since December, and that a much lower 8 per cent (184,000) of domestic electricity customers were in arrears for over 90 days, approximately the same level as May 2025; — the four biggest energy retailers have confirmed that hardship funds and focused measures are in place, for any customers in difficulty; — switching energy supplier or plan could save the average electricity customer up to €500 annually; — the Government has also established the NEAT, to identify, assess and implement measures that will enhance energy affordability for households and businesses, while delivering key renewable commitments, and protecting security of supply and economic stability; — the Government remains committed to ensuring that low-income households benefit from Ireland's renewable energy transition, and will continue to explore how best to integrate solar and other technologies into our energy poverty retrofit programmes; — carbon tax funds are allocated for expenditure on measures including the continuation of a national retrofitting programme, investment in community energy efficiency measures, and funding for greener farming practices, as part of Ireland's climate policy and our aim to reach net-zero by 2050; — the temporary deferral of the 1st May carbon tax increase will result in lower carbon tax revenues of €22 million in 2026; — neither the Government, nor the Minister for Transport, have a direct role in the setting of M50 toll rates, as these are instead governed by statutory byelaws, and are managed by Transport Infrastructure Ireland; — additionally, toll revenues from the M50 are fully reinvested in the operation, maintenance, protection and renewal of the national road network, and abolishing the M50 toll would cost the €250 million in revenues that would instead have to be raised from general taxation; — recruitment within the Health Service Executive is complex and has been devolved to regional structures, who are best placed to assess service needs and prioritise posts, and a recruitment pause would directly undermine this approach and could result in increased reliance on agency staff, ultimately driving up costs rather than reducing them, and thereby restricting the funding for hiring more front-line staff; — the Government is already progressing a significant reform programme, to link healthcare funding more directly to the level of activity delivered to patients through implementation of Activity Based Funding (ABF), which represents a fundamental shift in how hospital budgets are set; — a structured implementation plan is in place, with shadow ABF processes being rolled out across 2026–2027, allowing funding models to be tested and refined before full implementation from 2028; — achieving value for money must be sought at all stages of policy formation, and it is the responsibility of every Minister, public and civil servants within all Departments; — earlier this year, the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation published Circular 21/2026 Expenditure Control and Escalation Processes, this sets out the various phases of an expenditure control escalation process for use across Government, and the corrective steps that may be implemented where expenditure risks and overruns are identified, and this new escalation process will strengthen effective budget oversight through enhanced governance and a focus on value for money, ensuring that expenditure ceilings are credible and deliver effectively on Programme for Government commitments; and — this builds on Value for Money Circular 18/2025, which highlighted the roles and responsibilities in the delivery of value for money, as well as the robust guidance, codes of practice, and circulars underpinned by legislation, and informed by best practice in the pursuit of value for money, and it is the responsibility of the Accounting Officer for each Department to ensure that they manage expenditure sustainably, and in accordance with this allocation.". I speak on behalf of the Government on this wide-ranging motion regarding the cost of living. I reiterate that the Government opposes this motion and puts forward its own countermotion. The proposed countermotion outlines and affirms that energy affordability is a priority of this Government and highlights the significant supports that have been provided by the Government to help households and businesses with the cost of fuel and energy, including the introduction of one of the most comprehensive support packages in the EU. The conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine have caused significant disruption to global energy markets. The Government is also very aware and concerned about the pressures placed on households and businesses while high energy costs are rising due to the conflict. Providing supports to alleviate this pressure has and will continue to be a priority. We have taken action to help households and businesses with the cost of fuel and energy, such as the expanded fuel allowance, tax reductions on energy and significantly expanded retrofitting programmes. On 12 April, the Government agreed a €500 million package of fuel supports. This is in addition to the initial €250 million in targeted supports announced in March. These packages are among the largest per capita interventions in any EU member state. Key measures introduced include a reduction in excise on petrol, diesel and marked gas oil, MGO. When taken with the reduction in the NORA levy, that means 32 cent off a litre of diesel, 27 cent off a litre of petrol and 7.4 cent off MGO. There is a deferral of the planned increase in carbon tax scheduled for 1 May until the budget and an increase in the maximum repayment amount available under the diesel rebate scheme for qualifying road haulage and bus transport operators from 5.7 cent to 12 cent per litre for quarter 1 and quarter 2 of 2026. We have also developed a new €120 million road transporter support scheme, as well as supports for coach operators providing Local Link services. A €100 million fuel subsidy support scheme for farmers, agricultural contractors and fishers has also been opened. These measures were introduced on a temporary basis to provide some relief from fuel price inflation. As stated at the time of the interventions in March and April, the Government reserves the right to review and alter the policy approach, as necessary. Accordingly, the Government has continued to actively monitor all relevant strands of information, including global energy market dynamics and domestic retail pricing trends. Following this review, the Government announced an updated approach on 30 June. This approach is informed by very significant reductions in crude oil prices, as well as retail fuel prices, over recent weeks. It is therefore appropriate to begin the process of reversing the temporary reductions in mineral oil tax. It is important to emphasise that there will be no cliff-edge effects for consumers; rather, the restoration of pre-March 2025 mineral oil tax rates will be done in a gradual and phased way. The motion also calls for an end to increases in carbon tax. However, as Deputies will be aware, carbon tax is a core part of Ireland’s climate policy and our aim to reach net zero by 2050. The need for society and the economy to decouple from fossil fuel dependence is even more apparent now given the volatility of international fuel markets. The best way of insulating our economy and society from fuel prices shocks is to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. Carbon tax funds are allocated for expenditure on measures that will achieve this, including the continuation of a national retrofitting programme, investment in community energy efficiency measures and funding the greener farming practices. The benefit of carbon tax is obvious, with 2026 seeing a record capital budget of €640 million, including €558 million from carbon tax receipts, allocated to the SEAI residential and community energy grant schemes. This allocation will support 73,000 home energy upgrades to make homes warmer, healthier and more comfortable, with lower emissions and lower bills. The allocation also includes a record €340 million for the warmer homes scheme, which provides fully funded upgrades for those in energy poverty and is targeting 11,500 upgrades this year. A total of 53% of the allocation for SEAI residential and community schemes in 2026 is for the warmer homes scheme. It is important to note that the fuel supports announced this year build on the suite of measures to assist households with cost-of-living pressures announced as part of budget 2026. A total of €28.9 billion will be spent on social protection in 2026, including over €1.15 billion of new measures targeted to assist households. The measures contained in the budget are designed to support the most vulnerable in our society with the cost of living and there is a particular focus on tackling child poverty. The package includes the largest child support payment increase in the history of the State, with a weekly increase of €16 to €78 for children aged 12 and over, which is a 26% increase, and a weekly increase of €8 to €58 for children under 12 years, which is a 16% increase. This brings the total annual value of the child support payment to €3,016 for each child under the age of 12 and €4,056 for each child over 12. Record increases were announced in respect of the carer’s allowance income disregard, with an increase of €375 to €1,000 for a single person and an increase of €750 to €2,000 for a couple. The income limit for carer’s benefit will also increase by €375 to €1,000 per week. This change will take effect from this month. Also included in the budget package were across-the-board increases of €10 per week to maximum personal payment rates, benefiting people such as pensioners, people with disabilities, carers and lone parents, with proportionate increases for people receiving a reduced payment rate and qualified adults. These changes took effect from January. The budget package also provided significant supports to help householders with the cost of heating and other energy bills. The fuel allowance increased by €5 to €38 per week and, for the first time, families receiving the working family payment now qualify for the fuel allowance. In addition, people moving from disability allowance or the blind pension to take up work will retain their fuel allowance for five years. The budget also included an extension of the 9% VAT rate that applies to gas and electricity. The wide array of measures clearly demonstrates the huge focus the Government has placed on assisting ordinary people and families with the cost of living. In addition to the wide-ranging support already provided by the Government, we recognise that more needs to be done to help households and businesses that are under pressure as a result of increasing energy prices. The cross-government national energy affordability task force, NEAT, will play a key role in that regard. The task force is preparing an energy affordability action plan as well as co-ordinating the national response to the energy shock arising from the conflict in the Middle East. This structure will ensure a co-ordinated and coherent response to the energy crisis that is aligned with the programme for Government commitments and longer term action on energy affordability. The report of the task force, which included measures for consideration in budget 2026 including those I mentioned earlier, was published last November. The task force is now working intensively on the preparation of an energy affordability action plan, which will be completed in quarter 3 of 2026. The action plan will examine cost drivers in the energy sector and identify short-, medium- and long-term measures to enhance the affordability of energy for households and businesses. The action plan will be built on four key pillars: addressing the price of energy, sustainable demand and enhancing flexibility, addressing energy poverty and customer protections, and energy affordability for businesses. Intensive work on the action plan by NEAT subgroups, for example those on energy demand and grid financing, assisted by external advisory support, will continue over the coming weeks. This work will be supported by a process of engagement with relevant stakeholders. This will ensure that EAAP priorities are shaped by public and stakeholder input and remain responsive, inclusive and grounded in lived experience. A targeted stakeholder consultation has taken place on tackling energy poverty. This follows on from a recent meeting with representatives from the community and voluntary pillar such as Age Action Ireland, the National Women's Council of Ireland and the environmental pillar in respect of their proposals on energy poverty. Consultation sessions with business groups and the Electricity Association of Ireland, EAI, and retail electricity suppliers have also been held. In addition, the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, has engaged with the four biggest energy retailers in recent months to ensure that hardship funds and focused measures are in place for any customers in difficulty. It is important to note that the Department of Social Protection can also provide support through the additional needs payment to help households to meet expenses, including those who face difficulty with fuel bills. The Government has introduced substantial support during this volatile period. Supports are timely and necessary and we will continue to monitor the situation closely. In the remaining minute I will add, because very little was alluded to on this in the initial contributions from the Opposition, that the key most fundamental way we can reduce energy prices for the people of Ireland is by ramping up renewable energy. It is as simple as this: the higher the proportion of our energy needs or fuel needs that are met by fossil fuels, then the higher our prices will be. It is simple maths. Our fuel and the cost of electricity, the cost of energy, is directly linked and tied to the cost of a barrel of crude oil. We have to step away from that. We have to ramp up solar and wind generation. However, we can only do that if people get behind it. The Deputies who are contributing and criticising the Government for energy prices are the same Deputies who will object to renewables and to solar and object to alternative forms of energy. It is a fact.

Sentiment score: 0.26

The Opposition would prefer to lead us down a path that we cannot come back from and tie us into fossil fuels forever which is only going to continue to lead to increased energy prices.

Sentiment score: 0.49

Says yer man with the laptop.

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