Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)

In January 2005, the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources said that much research was being done in the area of energy.

He stated that it would be the most profound work undertaken for years. As part of his research, he employed a consultancy group, Deloitte & Touche, which completed its findings prior to December. While there have been many leaks regarding the report's potential contents, no Members have seen the report itself.

I ask the Leader to invite the Minister before the House to discuss general energy matters. We have witnessed a liberalisation of the electricity market which has made no difference. Instead, in the past few years, electricity prices have skyrocketed. I understand the report has implications for the ESB's dominance in the market, in that it has recommended breaking up the ESB to open up the market place. In that context, I want the Minister to come before the House to outline the current status vis-À-vis the energy market.