Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

A number of issues arise in terms of the flexibility for all businesses. Arrears is one issue and another is customers who wish to move. Issues also arise in connection with the price increase. The argument has been made in committee meetings with the energy regulator. The industry and people with small businesses have informed us that only three countries in the EU - Cyprus, Greece and Italy - had higher price increases than this country. One could ask why that is the case. It is constantly said that not enough is being done about price. We have had the argument about price increases with the regulator. The ESB is one of the major electricity producers and it has made considerable profits. It is difficult to explain the position to people who are trying to work through arrears of up to €500 when they know they could get a cost reduction by shifting their business elsewhere. There must be more flexibility within the system.

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