Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Cathaoirleach and our visitors for their contributions and their presentation. What jumps out at the beginning of their presentation is that the CRU remains very concerned at the impact of Irish energy prices on households and businesses. That is the understatement of the day, as are not we all so concerned?

I have been concerned for example, about energy prices, about our wholesale energy market, about our costly dated gas plants, which at many times in any given year dominate the market, in the absence, in particular, of wind and of adequate battery storage having been provided to meet the excess wind when it does blow.

This had been the case long before the Ukraine war or its obvious impact. Many of our problems, unfortunately, emanate from inefficient preparations by many State actors over the past number of years. This means poor infrastructure, for example, in the north west, poor capacity and poor competition. I am conscious here of auctions being won, being withdrawn from, penalties being paid, the grid remaining challenged, prices remaining high and poor, if any, sufficient accountability, culminating in excessive prices impacting industry and the potential expansion of industry, and the survival, in some cases, of many businesses, while, obviously, households have gravely suffered.

The Government, and us as representatives within Government and Opposition, then ensured that the Government intervened to subvent costs and prices, while some energy companies and monopolies have creamed it.

Meanwhile, as Kissinger has supposedly and famously asked, who does one call in Europe when there is a problem? Who exactly are we to call in energy circles to address, correct and improve on the issues I have highlighted if we are going to realise, for example, the potential and ambition that can be gained from offshore wind potential? That is to let alone holding parties to account regarding excessive charges to consumers.

From my perspective as a public representative, having sought answers, contributions and responses from bodies such as the CRU itself, from various Departments - because there are too many across this area when there should only be one, that is, a Ministry for energy, from the online Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan and the Competition Authority as was, now the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission; I have found all of them to be most adept at passing the buck. From my perspective today, the question relates specifically to the McCarthy report.

That report was commissioned by Government to investigate the issues that have contributed to questions on infrastructure, competition, capacity and our wholesale energy market. Has the CRU contributed to that? Are its representatives aware that the report is finalised and has been on the Minister's desk for many months? Have they been given sight of the finalised report? Are they aware when it might be published? What do they hope is contained in it? To add to similar questions asked by other members, is the CRU's existing role curtailed? Could it be improved? Might we public representatives be in a better position to glean from all those State actors I have mentioned answers to questions which remain unanswered?

We have huge offshore potential on our doorstep but I am nervous and fearful that all who have played a role in not allowing us to have sufficient capacity and reserves at present are charged with the responsibility for what could yield a €300 billion industry by 2050. That is the size of our economy today. That is the massive potential it has. It has potential for areas which have not seen business development previously and that can call on that power first. I am thinking of my area and the north west, which I mentioned earlier. That can only be realised if there is a sea change on the part of all those who are charged with responsibility and who have failed to date. It is a heavy charge to make. I do not make it lightly or enjoy saying it but it is patently obvious. The capacity talked of being generated offshore of 7 GW in the coming years is pitiful and minimal. That is the case because somebody knows the infrastructure to take it onshore is not there. Somebody needs to be held to account for that because that is a terrible failing.