I thank all of the Deputies for raising these important matters and for giving all of us an opportunity on all sides of the House to discuss the pressures households are facing regarding the cost of living and the actions the Government is taking. It is fair to say that some people on the far side of the House have been positive in their commentary in highlighting some of the issues that are faced and providing some potential solutions. Most recently, Deputy Heneghan proposed a solution regarding plug-in solar panels. The Government needs to learn that when decisions are to be taken, if we take them more swiftly, the solution will then obviously be implemented more quickly. A lot of people did not acknowledge the real reason we have such a huge energy cost currently, which is the conflict in the Middle East. To be fair to Deputy Boyd Barrett, he acknowledged it and the impact that it is having on the cost of living, not just in Ireland but right throughout the globe, and how governments are responding to that issue. One thing I will take issue with Deputy Body Barrett on is when he demonised people like the Collison brothers, who started off by winning the BT Young Scientist award and went on to be global players in the fintech place, creating thousands of jobs not just in Ireland but across the globe, and whose innovation in technology is supporting so many Irish SMEs in their ability to trade not just domestically but internationally. If we demonise people like that, who are creating opportunities and employment and paying corporation tax, which enables us to make decisions in relation to investing in services and social welfare, I really do wonder sometimes. We should be celebrating the success of people like that rather than demonising them on the floor of the Dáil. Given all that is happening in the Middle East, the Government is continuing to monitor the situation and continues to provide the necessary supports to alleviate the pressure. In recent days, we witnessed more evidence of that when the Government extended the supports to ensure that the actions are there to help households and businesses with the cost of energy and fuel. Despite what people in the Opposition try to portray, this was always going to be the case. It is right and proper that the Government keeps a watchful eye over what is happening on the international market in terms of the cost of fuel and responds accordingly. People on the Opposition benches tried to build up fear by leaning into people's anxiety in relation to the excise reductions ending at the end of July. Deputy Nash mentioned how I have been in this House many times taking similar debates. During every debate, we reassure people that the supports will be monitored, evaluated and, if needed, extended, and that is just what is going to happen. We are acutely aware of the issues facing people. We also have to remember that the price of a barrel of oil is $73 today and when the supports were introduced it was $120, so it would be wrong if we did not keep this situation monitored. The most recent supports are also coupled with supports the Government introduced in budget 2026 to help households with energy costs. These included an extension of the 9% VAT rate currently applied to gas and electricity, saving households up to €100 per year; enhanced social protection payments, including an increase in the fuel allowance rate to €38 per week and an expansion in the eligibility rules, with 40,000 additional households qualifying for it after the most recent budget; and a record allocation of €640 million for SEAI retrofit schemes, allowing us to target up to 73,000 home energy upgrades this year, including €340 million for the warmer homes scheme, which provides fully funded upgrades for those in energy poverty. I agree, however, with many of the speakers, who identified that budget 2027 needs to include taxation measures and supports for people working. We need to send a strong message out from Government that work is rewarded and recognise that people are making a contribution. That is something that we will see in budget 2007 when it is announced later this year. On energy supplies and the increases in energy costs, I would strongly encourage people who are difficulty with the cost of energy to engage with their supplier. There is a commitment by all suppliers not to disconnect any customers and to engage with them. In addition, for people who are finding it hard, there is a means-tested payment, the additional needs payment, through the Department of Social Protection for people who cannot afford to pay their energy bills. It is important that all of us identify that this service is there for people who need it. Many Deputies referred to the high price of energy for households. It is important to note that structural factors also impact on our energy prices. As a country, we are import-dependent for energy, making us particularly vulnerable to price volatility in the wholesale market. Our isolated island location, low levels of interconnection, widely dispersed low-density population and reliance on fossil fuels are also important price determinants. Retail prices are also influenced by factors other than wholesale prices, including supplier hedging. This is the practice of purchasing energy in bulk ahead of time, protecting consumers from the day-to-day volatility of the energy markets but also having long-run effects on retail prices. This, as well as the current conflict, highlights why Ireland must reduce its reliance on imported fossil fuels, accelerate the deployment of renewables and expand interconnection with trusted European partners. We are also working to ensure that households benefit directly from the renewable energy transition. Retrofitting is one of the best measures a household can take to reduce its energy bills. For instance, a deep retrofit can reduce energy bills by up to €1,100 per year. That is a permanent saving. Applications for SEAI grants so far this year have doubled on last year. When people say people are not availing of it, they have doubled in the past year. That is 55,000 applications processed to date in 2025. Since 2019, over 268,000 home energy upgrades have been completed, thanks to Government funding of €1.8 billion, including 36,300 fully funded under the warmer homes scheme. The Minister, Deputy O'Brien, has significantly expanded the retrofit measures, something a lot of Deputies called for earlier today, to ensure they are more accessible and affordable for households. Key measures include stand-alone window and door grants, increased heat-pump grants and increased cavity wall and attic insulation for first-time buyers and households eligible for the warmer homes scheme. In addition, a rooftop revolution is under way across Ireland. Over 112,000 homes have received solar PV grants since the scheme began. SEAI has received over 15,000 applicants for solar PV up to the end of April 2026, and that is a 72% increase on total applications since 2025. Again, people are responding to the supports being provided by the Government. The numbers simply do not lie. I conclude by reiterating that the Government is aware that people are grappling with rising costs as the geopolitical situation continues to evolve. We will remain focused on ensuring Ireland's energy security remains robust while endeavouring to assist those experiencing real and immediate financial pressures. No Government throughout the world can fully insulate its citizens from the impact of the Middle East but we are doing better than most. We will continue to monitor the situation and to make the necessary interventions.

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