Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)

Anyone who read their ESB bills recently would have noticed a rapid escalation in the cost of electricity. The OECD in a recent economic evaluation stated that in the six years of liberalisation of the market in this country, very little has happened in regard to true competition. The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources recently commissioned a report by Deloitte & Touche in regard to energy policy, in particular electricity policy. The report, which cost over €1.2 million, was published last December yet its findings appear to be secret. One talks about accountability and transparency but the contents of the report are known only to the Minister, his Department, senior Department of Finance officials and the Office of the Commission for Energy Regulation. When I recently asked the energy regulator whether the information contained in the report would be made accessible I was told that as far as it was concerned, its lips were sealed.

The Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources is examining the energy situation. It has employed a consultant and is meeting the various representatives in order to frame a document regarding its concerns on energy issues. The Department is also preparing an energy policy document. It is farcical that a committee is preparing a document when a comprehensive report has been produced which could impact on and help the committee's work.

Why is the information being withheld? Is it because, as is commonly known, it contains unpalatable truths on generating capacity and the opening of the Irish market? In that context, the Government possibly does not want confrontation or discussions with the ESB unions in the year prior to the general election. If that is the reason, it is a shabby one. The report should be open and accessible so we can all have an input on future energy policy.

The Oireachtas committee recently met representatives of the large energy users. They expressed their extreme concern that Ireland is no longer as attractive a proposition as it had been because our electricity costs have risen out of all proportion to other costs. Given the 15 years of economic growth which is projected, what will stultify that growth, apart from factors such as housing demand, is escalating cost increases, by stealth or otherwise. Electricity is a main component of such costs.

Taxpayers funded the €1.2 million report, not the Minister, Deputy Noel Dempsey. As a starting point, its contents should be revealed. Let us have proper discussions on the report and frame energy polices which are applicable to Ireland's future.