Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I echo the concerns of colleagues about section 8. As set out, it seems a reasonable process. What happens if CER gets it wrong? Should the Minister include an appeals mechanism? Will the Minister have any role in an appeal against the decision? I base my concerns on the lack of an appeals mechanism, other than going the legal route.

I refer to the concerns I put to the Minister last week about Ervia or Bord Gáis Éireann, which the Government flogged to the private sector. Looking at the historic role of Bord Gáis Éireann and the successor network company, which has the new name of Ervia since yesterday, many representatives found it a remote company to deal with even when its headquarters were on Foley Street in the inner-city. When issues arose, such as a welcome extension of the gas network around the north and west sides of the Dublin, there were concerns about how responsive Bord Gáis was to complaints and considerations when we represented housing estates.

Another factor is regulation in general in this country and the role of CER. I do not have much confidence in CER or other regulators on the economic side because they have not delivered over the past 15 years when we needed them most to make strong determinations on energy pricing. CER did not deliver in its role for this House. CER having a fundamental right of decision in section 8 is not a move I welcome. I ask the Minister to examine a further appeal mechanism. Will the Minister have a role?

I am totally opposed to the establishment of Irish Water and I believe the process embarked upon was outrageously outlined on Thursday night and Friday. After the general election, there will be major changes. It is important to get the process right and I ask the Minister to answer on the issue of an appeal. Will only a legal remedy remedy apply to consumers?

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