Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

When Iberdrola left Ireland, it did so voluntarily. It did not go bankrupt. It made a €1 billion profit in the first three months. Some companies have to take the hit in one place while they make money somewhere else. The Tánaiste said the CRU contacted Bord Gáis Energy and Electric Ireland. This company had a contract signed with Bord Gáis Energy and was told it could not use it. It had to go to Electric Ireland. Where is the process when there is supposed to be one month's written notice? Customers heard it in the media and did not even got a letter or notice from Iberdrola. The likes of Iberdrola is supposed to be putting €160 million into offshore wind in Ireland. Is it being let off scot-free from the Irish market because it has investments? What is the CRU playing at in allowing this to happen? The reality is that a small business in rural Ireland that employs people, not only having seen a 145% increase early on, but will now see a 200% increase at least in electricity and is being forced into the position that it cannot sign a new contract until September, when the Tánaiste and I and dog in the street know that electricity is going to be dearer. Is this the way we are going to save rural businesses from losing jobs? That is not the way to treat a business. A contract is a contract and should be honoured.

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