Seanad debates
Wednesday, 9 April 2003
Electricity Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage.
I welcome the fact that Senator Higgins has introduced the Bill and I watched his contribution on the monitor in my office. I welcome the fact that RECI and other bodies are enthusiastic supporters of this approach. The best way to bring about high-quality regulation of the service provided to consumers is to give legal authority to bodies that are technically skilled but which are not involved in the marketplace. I am wary of many such bodies because, to a degree, they tend to look after the interests of their members in the marketplace. As the recent report by the Competition Authority suggested, they do more than ensure that high standards are met because they make sure that high prices are charged as well. I am glad, therefore, that Senator Higgins has made it clear that the bodies to which the legislation refers would be precluded from getting involved in the marketplace. Their job would be to ensure that high standards are met.
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