What was the surplus of An Bord Gáis last year? Could the Minister give an assurance ——

I do not want to interrupt, but the question deals with Dublin Gas and the Deputy wants information on An Bord Gáis which I suspect I do not have on the file here.

My recollection is that it was about £60 million, but I thought the Minister might have the figure on file.

When we hear a word like "gas", we use that word in all its shapes, forms and extensions ——

This is money that might be available to reduce the burden on the ordinary domestic consumer.

It does not work that way and the Deputy knows that; one reduces it one end and increases it at the other.

Will the Minister ensure that the many thousands of Dublin consumers who have converted to natural gas will receive fair play, that the price will be lowered pro rata to maintain relationship with the price of oil, bearing in mind that its price went up in relation to that of oil? Will the price of natural gas now be reduced? Can Dublin Gas consumers rest at ease — having invested substantially over the past few years in heating systems and so on — that their interests will be looked after in that way?

Dublin Gas consumers can be assured they will receive fair play from me.