THERE WERE sharp exchanges when Taoiseach Brian Cowen said the cost of rebranding the ESB and Bord Gáis was not a matter for the Government.

Mr Cowen was responding to Labour leader Eamon Gilmore, who said the “Government will spend €40 million on the ESB and Bord Gáis for putting up new nameplates, letterheads and for new advertising at a time when the country is short of money”.

The money, said Mr Gilmore, would be better spent providing some assistance to families who could not meet their fuel bills.

Mr Cowen replied that “whatever arrangements have been made by the ESB and by Bord Gáis the Commission for Energy Regulation can be taken up with them”.

Mr Gilmore said: “That is daft.”

Party colleague Joan Burton added: “That is stupid. The Taoiseach is abdicating his responsibility again.”

Mr Cowen said the House had established the commission to regulate the market. “It was voted for by every member in the House as the best means of providing for competition in the market.”

Mr Cowen said an affordable fuels strategy was at an advanced stage of preparation in the Department of Energy. “It will provide a way to deal with the issue more widely and generally.” The Government last night defeated a Labour private member’s motion calling for action on fuel poverty by 74 votes to 70.

Labour spokeswoman on social protection Róisín Shortall accused the Government of failing to deliver on key commitments relating to fuel poverty. These included the provision of a fuel poverty strategy by the end of last year, protection of the vulnerable following the introduction of a carbon tax, and a vouched fuel allowance scheme.

Ms Shortall said many poor families, including thousands who would be considered “working poor”, did not qualify for fuel allowance because they were not receiving a social welfare payment. “And because they do not get fuel allowance, these same families are also excluded from the warmer homes’ scheme unless they can make a special case,” she added.

Green Party Minister of State Mary White said Labour was so comfortable sitting on the fence that the party could not even get off it. The Government had prioritised green energy systems and the abatement of climate change remedies. It had demonstrated its commitment to enhancing energy efficiency and conservation through unprecedented funding for programmes.