Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

When the same regulator was asked by the energy sector for an increase, he also gave it a premium. The Government has failed to address the issue of energy provision. Many companies with external investment are prepared, have licences, are connected to the grid and have planning permission. They can reduce the cost of electricity to the people we represent, yet the Government will not instruct the regulator to hurry up and make a decision any more than it will give him the necessary information to make provision under this Bill. In the absence of that information, I cannot blame Deputy Stanley for tabling amendments on the issue of people who cannot afford to pay. We do not even know what the water will cost. We are only guessing. Will the Minister of State please acknowledge the effort being made on this side of the House with answers that would allow us to make reasoned decisions?

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