Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I ask the Deputy Leader to arrange for his party colleague, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Eamon Ryan, to come to the House to explain why the energy regulators, Michael G. Tutty, Tom Reeves and Dermot Nolan, are resisting the efforts of the ESB to reduce electricity prices by at least 10%. Some 16,500 people have switched to Bord Gáis from the ESB since Bord Gáis made its new offer. They are depriving the ESB of valuable income. We have to bear in mind that 7,800 people are employed by the ESB and 1,800 people are employed by Bord na Móna, which is one of the ESB's biggest suppliers. The movement of many electricity customers to Bord Gáis is jeopardising many Bord na Móna jobs in the midlands, as well as some jobs in the ESB. It is time for the chains to be taken off the ESB, which provides mains electricity. The ESB was responsible many years ago for rural electrification, which was known as the quiet revolution. The latest quiet revolution is the transfer of many electricity customers from the ESB to Bord Gáis. That will cause great difficulties in the future. The ESB is responsible for the maintenance of the main lines and wires and the repair of storm damage. A great deal of infrastructure has been provided by the ESB, using taxpayers' money and now another semi-State body is competing for the business on the same lines. I ask the regulator to make a decision. I understand it is about to take place, but why has it been delayed for so long? I expect more people to join the 16,500 people who have already switched to Bord Gáis on foot of the proposed reduction.

I ask the Leader to arrange for the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food or his colleague, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, to come to the House to comment on the recommendation made by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to the European Commission that there should be a total ban on eel fishing in the Republic of Ireland for over 90 years. That is the proposal that is before the Commission. No such ban is proposed, however, in Northern Ireland.