Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Barring any unexpected accidents, the Tánaiste is expected to become Taoiseach again in a few months. In the meantime, he retains responsibility for policy and legislative matters relating to enterprise, trade and employment.

The welfare of businesses, industry and, most of all, consumers falls within his remit. Many Members have commented on the stark warnings from EirGrid indicating that the gap between electricity and supply will likely get worse. The CEO told RTÉ this morning that he cannot guarantee that there will not be blackouts. This is a shocking development, which will concern thousands of homeowners and businesses, as well as damage our reputation abroad. It is shocking that yet again we have the spectacle of regulatory State agencies arriving breathless and somewhat puzzled at the scene of the latest threatened blight to hit the beleaguered public.

Does the Tánaiste agree that now is the time for him and his Government colleagues to carry out an urgent review of the effectiveness of the various regulatory State agencies that are well paid to oversee key sectors or activities? They should perform or be abolished. We have EirGrid, the transmission system operator, and the Commission of Regulation of Utilities, who, when not squabbling with each other, have allowed a situation to develop where we have imminent threats of blackouts and rapidly increasing energy costs. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission seems to be a spectator when it comes to price rises hitting consumers and seems unable to tackle price gouging. The commission is also pretty useless when it comes to tackling the scourge of insurance costs. We have an aviation regulator who failed to spot the unfolding crisis in Dublin Airport this year. We have a Central Bank which, despite its role in the collapse of the banking system, subsequently failed to detect the tracker mortgage scandal, which was brought to its attention by a committee of this House. The Planning Regulator seemed blind to what is happening in An Bord Pleanála until an online site published allegations. The incompetence of the Road Safety Authority is legendary and it is ironic that it requires HGV drivers to acquire a certificate of professional competence when it is the drivers who should set a course of competence for the RSA. The Standards in Public Office Commission, SIPO, while competent in its duty, is powerless to stop unethical behaviour by senior officials. The Government is even appointing impugned officials to State boards following their censure by SIPO. We also have a complete failure on the part of multiple State agencies to enforce existing legislation prohibiting the curse of online gambling and its infliction of hardship on thousands of families nationally. At what stage will the Government demand these entities do their job and fulfil their functions? The public is sick and tired of useless regulatory bodies, which arrive breathless at the scene of the latest outrage, looking for more powers and resources.

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