Press Releases
Ten per cent reduction in electricity bills is achievable - Fiona O'Malley TD
Progressive Democrats Energy spokeswoman, Fiona O'Malley, says we are paying too much for electricity because of the ESB's market dominance.
She said Irish electricity prices were currently 40 per cent higher than the EU average for commercial customers.
"The Progressive Democrats say that a 10 per cent reduction in electricity prices is achievable. The Minister must instruct the regulator that the ESB revert to the break-even position in monopoly areas of energy supply," she said.
"When you own the wires and are never going to sell them, it is unethical to be charging unwarranted high prices just to swell your coffers essentially in expectation of a privatisation which will never come. It is an abuse of position. Providing reasonably priced electricity is no longer the purpose of the ESB. It should be the focus of the Minister.
"In a market like ours effective regulation is of critical importance. Yet the regulator intervention time after time has resulted in consolidation of ESB dominance and the perpetuation of inefficient and costly work practices. This will have to change."
She said PD policy in any future administration would be to remedy inefficient management and ineffective regulation of this monopoly area and to deliver cheaper electricity to customers.
"What we are proposing are intelligent green responses to the challenges we face, not theological ones," she concluded.
For further information please contact Mary Minihan in the PD press office on 087-1225140. Many thanks.