Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail)
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The balancing point is the more competition, the better. I am conscious that when the ESB was unfurled from the all-embracing company that it was, the price of electricity was forced upwards in order to create a competitive environment and bring others in. I do not believe it has gone back down since. Recognising where we are, has the CRU looked at another model in terms of capping prices? When we do not have effective competition, we have a regulator. Does the CRU see an enhanced role for itself in terms of not depending solely on competition to get value for money for the customer? Should it have a greater stick to use in forcing the price to a sustainable and acceptable level that meets the needs of consumers? I apologise to the Chair for taking liberties.