In recent weeks, the Taoiseach himself said that energy companies were gouging customers, yet despite using that word and acknowledging that people are being ripped off, the Government has still failed to do anything meaningful to stop it. We know that wholesale electricity costs have collapsed but Irish households still pay among the highest bills in Europe. The ESRI has confirmed what we already knew - electricity prices doubled between 2018 and 2024. It says that there is no clear explanation for what suppliers are charging. There is no explanation because they are engaged in price gouging and ripping people off. What is the Taoiseach going to do to deal with this? Does he support what the ESRI has been calling for and a possible Commission for Regulation of Utilities, CRU, inquiry into this practice? People do not need soundbites any more from the Taoiseach. They need a Government that is willing to act, stand up to energy companies, end the rip-off, get prices under control and make life more affordable.

I accept that soundbites are not the answer, and I would respectfully respond to the Deputy that the public do not need soundbites from Sinn Féin either on this question.

No, an inquiry.

People want a substantive, policy-driven and evidence-informed approach to dealing with the energy price issue. It is a huge issue in terms of Ireland's competitiveness and its impact on consumers and households. We have done a lot over the last number of years to best cushion households. We accept the pressure on them. The linkage at European level between gas and broader energy prices is an issue. We have already established a group to review this. We will pursue this with the companies and the CRU.

A full CRU inquiry was the question. Why does the Taoiseach keep dodging questions?