Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to raise this issue. This issue began just a few weeks ago with a simple boardroom dispute which has now escalated. I do not want to get into the details of the dispute, but its escalation will have serious consequences for the ESB, its consumers, both industrial and domestic, and the economy. What may have seemed like a simple disagreement initially has taken on far more serious proportions and is in danger of expanding into unofficial, or perhaps official, industrial action which will have serious consequences throughout the country.

I also raise this issue for another reason. There have been a number of "accidents", for want of a better description, in State companies in recent times where what seemed a simple issue initially turned into a major issue later. In one or two cases the issue caused both sides to go to the brink of industrial action. In the case of Aer Lingus it led to even more serious consequences.

I am concerned that what is happening with the ESB, small as it may have been initially, has the propensity to escalate into a larger and wider issue with significant consequences for the ESB. This is a particularly sensitive time because of deregulation. I urge the responsible Minister to take immediate steps to ensure that whatever difficulties that have arisen are made known to all parties concerned. The difficulties must be resolved and the ESB must discharge its responsibilities to the public and to the domestic and industrial consumer with due regard to the need to protect the economy.

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