Pauline O'Reilly (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Over time, we are going to see a reduction in overall use. That is where all the Government funding is going. It looks a little bit like the ESB is protecting its base and protecting the profits in the long term by putting more into the standard charge than into the unit rate. With respect, that is the first point I would make.

Our guests mentioned the ESB’s competitors a few times and responding to what they are charging for standing costs versus unit costs. The issue I have is that the competitors are dropping out of the market and, as a result, fewer companies are making decisions as to what the standing charge is. Representatives of the CRU who appeared before the committee last week stated that they have no control over what companies do with the standing charge. Is it appropriate that the regulator does not have any control over that, while fewer competitors will be operating in that market and making these decisions for our citizens?