Alex White (Dublin South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I emphasise that I as Minister have no role whatever in the setting of prices, the determination of prices, or instructing or otherwise requiring companies to change their prices. We all have our views about the legal framework that has been put in place, but this is a fully liberalised market in which the energy companies to which Deputy Maloney referred are in competition with one another. Often consumers are sceptical when they hear Ministers state that people should shop around, but there is a real benefit to be gained from looking at one's energy consumption and considering a switch from one energy company to another, and consumers have made very real gains. I would encourage consumers to consider switching. In other words, people should put this argument to the test, even if they are sceptical about this notion of switching and the competitive environment. They should put it to the test, because there are real gains to be made.

The question I was asked to deal with related to motor fuels and the price at the pump. I do not object to migrating to the other issue, but what I came prepared to talk to the House about was motor fuels. I indicated to the House that there have been substantial reductions in the price of petrol and diesel at the pump. That is factually so. However, we all would like to see the lowest possible prices. I share that view with Deputy Maloney.

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