Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

With my colleagues, I welcome the Minister's amendment, reflecting the views expressed on Committee Stage, which again proves my point that we can all help each other out to a lesser or greater extent. Amendment No 49 has the heading "Policy directions to Commission." All along we have been told that the commission is independent. The list of directions, with which I agree, is as follows:

(b) Notwithstanding the generality of paragraph (a), such general policy directions may have regard to the following issues——

(i) security of energy supply, [which is absolutely correct and essential]

(ii) sustainability of energy supply, [which is absolutely correct]

(iii) competitiveness of energy supply, or

(iv) such other matter which the Minister considers appropriate.

I would have thought that some of the things that happened in recent weeks might also have been appropriate. The issues raised by Deputies Broughan and Eamon Ryan and me could have been brought within that area. This comes back to the Minister's wisdom in arriving at a conclusion as to what else should be included.

Arising from the energy price increases of recent weeks and other proposed electricity prices to be implemented in the new year, it is the general consensus that industry cannot sustain them and that some industries will need to relocate away from the country because of the problems that will be presented to them. In those circumstances, the Minister under the heading of policy directions to the commission, should have realised the impact those increases would have on industry, employment etc.

I cannot understand why no regard was had for the economic impact of the regulator's decisions. We have heard all about the need to observe the independence of the regulator and to recognise that the regulator is above politics. Deputy Broughan mentioned the analogy to the Health Service Executive where somebody who is not accountable has taken over and determines policy. This amendment represents an admission by the Minister that policy directions are within his or her remit. Incidentally I notice the words "his or her". When discussing a proposed amendment to another Bill yesterday, the Minister involved deemed that "his or her" was not necessary.

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