Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)

In general terms I support the amendments to the title and amendment No. 97 regarding Bord Gáis Éireann in respect of capital stock. There are, however, serious issues of competitiveness in Irish business and industry. As this is a miscellaneous provisions Bill and the domestic and business gas market face major challenges why did the Minister not use the opportunity to expand on some of the issues that need to be addressed in respect of Bord Gáis Éireann and its future? These include aspects of unbundling, the establishment of the ISO and the general development of a more competitive market. This morning on Leaders' Questions, the Taoiseach listed several energy companies in the UK that had increased their prices dramatically. Yet their prices are still cheaper than those pertaining in the Irish market. As well as missing this key point, he did not realise that a few weeks ago, if the storage capacity was in place, gas could be got for nothing because of the new Norwegian pipeline. While I welcome the ESOP for the workers of Bord Gáis Éireann, why did he not use the opportunity provided by the Bill to address these issues?

The Minister has had three bites of the cherry with this Bill. I do not see it as the way to do the people's business. With the resources available to him in the Department, I cannot understand why he did not introduce a more comprehensive energy Bill or even a new gas Bill to address the challenges of the ongoing development of the gas market. This is particularly apt given that the gas market is significantly different from the electricity one. Some competition has emerged in the domestic market with Flogas providing services in Galway and five other towns. Given that we are part of the UK market, and we have transport costs in addition to the cost of a future second North-South interconnector, why did the Minister not take a more comprehensive approach rather than just a single amendment to the Bill?

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