A few months ago, we had another debate on energy costs. I have yet to receive any response to the issues I raised. I highlighted in that debate that those on the lowest incomes, those reliant on pensions or disability allowance would be €250 worse off this year as a result of the Minister's budget and the acceleration of energy prices. Those prices were already the highest electricity prices in Europe and that was before the onset of the energy crisis brought about by Trump's illegal war in Iran. I asked the Government what its advice would be for people on low incomes. I asked if they should go cold or if they should go hungry. It seems to have no answers. Electricity prices in Ireland, again the highest in Europe, have approximately doubled in the past five years. With the onset of this disastrous and unconscionable war they are expected to sky rocket again this year. Ordinary people are already paying higher rates than data centres. Many of them are reliant on pay-as-you-go meters, paying higher prices again. The Government has not strengthened price transparency whatsoever or held the price gougers accountable. As climate activists have said for decades, strengthening our energy security is the only way to address the source of the price issues. Yet, under this Government there are, as Deputy Whitmore said, zero offshore wind farms operational today. There is a huge, missed opportunity in solar that the Government has not tackled. The opportunities for retrofitting exclude those with the least financial resources. Yet the Government continues to support 22% of electricity demand going to data centres and corporations as well as the reliance of this State on imported fossil fuels from an LNG terminal. The Government must act now and introduce the Social Democrats' energy credit for 800,000 households most in need, implement the emergency payment for disabled people, tackle price gouging and, crucially, chart a new path for cheap, domestic, renewable energy to become the bedrock of our country's energy supply. I urge the Government to act without delay.

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