Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

I acknowledge that, economically, Ireland is on a strong growth curve and we have a low level of unemployment. However, every report published in the past year in particular signals the pressure this jurisdiction will come under in terms of competitiveness from eastern European and Far Eastern locations and that the level of investment in this country will come under greater scrutiny — it is being scrutinised already from the viewpoint of relocation because of the high cost of doing business here. I am disappointed the Minister has no plan.

The Government had an opportunity last week when the Opposition tabled an amendment to have regular reviews of utility costs imposed on the energy regulator, rather than the annual review, but the Minister chose not to take that on board. Will he suggest any policy for the future as regards the regulation of public utilities, for example, whereby the policy remit of the regime could be changed to reduce costs for small businesses in particular, as well as consumers, to bring them into line with what we ought to expect? An increase of 90% in electricity prices over the past four years, for example, is not something that can easily be explained to people with more costly bills this week.

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