Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I want to focus on a couple of other areas first, if I can. Are the powers of the CRU comparable to international counterparts? Does the CRU have sight of the area of hedging? Does it regularly engage with companies about anti-competitive practices and potential profiteering? I asked the question about a simple thing like standing charges. The CRU says it is encouraging providers to reduce prices. What does that mean? There is a sense among the public that there is not fairness at play and there is not good competition. Speaking from my own perspective, when prices went up, that was burdened on people and when prices came down, that has not been passed on. As the regulator with responsibility for that, what are the CRU's powers to ensure that fairness is at play?

My second question is about the resourcing of the CRU. The witnesses say they have an ambition to have 196 staff. How many staff does the CRU currently employ? The Minister told me there was Cabinet approval for 74 whole-time equivalents. Are they included in the 196? Where is the CRU with recruitment for that? In the witnesses' opening statement, they say that because of increased and additional responsibilities, there may be additional requirements. Where are their preparations on that plan? My questions are about the 196 staff, the 74 staff, and the CRU's additional plans.