Darragh O'Brien

Elevated fuel prices is a global crisis and the Budget will be a cost-of-living Budget.

The retrofitting of homes is good for our economy and people's pockets.

Retrofitting homes and pivoting to renewable energies is one real protection that we can protect families and indeed businesses against future price shocks.

Those at risk of fuel poverty or those who are in fuel poverty are supported through a Social Protection System.

Energy is an area where people are under pressure.

You have seen the increases in prices particularly in that area.

Enhanced supports for households at risk of energy poverty, medically vulnerable customers, lower-income homeowners and renters will help ensure that those who need support most can access the benefits of lower energy bills.

A particular focus of this package is ensuring that households most exposed to high energy costs can benefit from the energy transition.

I want to see routes improve, I want to see new services in place, and this will allow a very significant expansion right the way across our country.

It is their own personal safety and the safety of others that they should be thinking about.

We cannot ignore the incident and injuries and some fatalities that have happened in that regard using e-scooters.

Kids should not be on e-scooters, end of story.

Purchasing this key strategic site by agreement ensures that the risk of delays and increased costs arising from the Compulsory Purchase Order process are significantly reduced.

Mr O'Brien told the Dáil that Ireland's reputation would also be affected if "capacity is restricted at our main international gateway".

Mr O'Brien said the airport is of "strategic importance" with over 36 million passengers passing through last year.

Darragh O'Brien said that Dublin Airport's passenger cap "does not serve the State well" and "does not serve the people of the region well".

But, he said, while the infrastructure has already improved this does need to continue nationally.

I got approval earlier this year in the first quarter of the national EV rollout plan, not a strategy, an actual plan for new charging points that are being rolled out and we're investing heavily in it.

We're going to invest about €45m this year in new charging points this year alone, which will see a 30% improvement in the EV charging infrastructure that's around the country.

I'm not going to be able to bridge the full affordability gap, but I think to be fair by looking at this, an additional €5,000, bringing it up to €8,500, is not an insignificant support.

I accept fully, that many people driving older cars like that are doing it because they can't afford to change their car. This will help.

I think it'll be popular, I hope it will be.

We will assess how it works, and look at it again