Alex White (Dublin South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Minister's role in this matter is very clearly delineated in law, as is the role of the Commission for Energy Regulation. That is as it should be in terms of the configuration of the different responsibilities residing in different entities. However, I note the Deputy's point in regard to prices generally. This issue is the subject of ongoing debate in a context where electricity prices in this country have historically been high compared with other countries. A long period without any price increases being granted to the ESB coupled with rapid growth in electricity demand resulted in a legacy of under-investment in energy infrastructure, both generation and networks. Accordingly, our current generation portfolio is older and less efficient than those of our neighbours, which sees plant performance suffer. A much higher level of investment is required and is being applied in our transmission and distribution systems.

Another point to note is that Ireland has possibly the highest dependence on fossil fuels in the EU, at more than 85%. Only Italy and the Netherlands have a comparable level of fossil fuel penetration. These are issues we must bear in mind when we survey the overall position in respect of prices.

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