Brian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the CER members for staying on so long this evening.

Will the commission give a timescale for the roll-out of the integrated single electricity market? Rolling it out is more important for the North because its supply is a bit more precarious than ours. It is also important for having a stronger market with a stronger grid for dealing with fluctuations. For example, much wind-generated energy will be coming on to the grid and we need more capacity to absorb that.

On the cost of electricity, how did we compare with the average European price ten or 15 years ago? Now, we have the third highest electricity costs, with only Germany and Denmark ahead of us. Despite the fact there is a regulator in place, there is a perception CER has not been effective in overseeing the market? There is significant frustration around that. Is the public service obligation, PSO, due to increase?

My secretary keeps changing from one electricity supplier to another. He has changed around three times in six years. However, I have never changed my electricity supplier simply because of my secretary’s experience. The packages are complicated but are short term. I also have not changed because I feel there is no benefit to it. I have heard from feedback and media discussions that people feel there is no value in changing energy supplier. The mantra is shop around and that is okay if one is buying bread. However, if one is getting into a contract for a bill every two months, one needs to see some continuity in benefit. I would like to see a gain over a long period that is easily explained. There should be no-frills and cut the bullshit. It should be straight up.