Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I call on the Leader to arrange an emergency debate today on energy and, in particular, electricity supply. The Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, should come to the House for the debate. I welcome in principle the Bord Gáis decision to supply electricity to the residential market. Heating and energy costs are a significant portion of a householder's budget at present. Since last night 3,000 people have already signed up with Bord Gáis. There will be a 10% reduction in price, with another 2% reduction if they are currently Bord Gáis customers. It is a tremendous offer. The company hopes to secure 25% of the ESB's supplies. That could put 25% of workers in the ESB in jeopardy. The knock-on effect will be that Bord na Móna workers will be laid off. I call on the regulator to take the handcuffs off the ESB——