Mark Dearey (Green Party)

I accept there are larger users which need to enjoy competitiveness in energy prices, many of which are lobbying for it. For example, while IBEC's chief researcher, Mr. Fergal O'Brien, recently asserted electricity prices are higher in Ireland, its pre-budget submission does not quote any statistics to back this up. Mark Fielding, chief executive of ISME, never tires of saying Irish energy prices for his members are among the highest in Europe when in fact they enjoy prices 3% lower than the European average. Much of the claims about Ireland having higher electricity prices seem to be anecdotal.

I accept there are price bands which are 12% higher than European averages, however, which need to be tackled. There are different truths according to the different bands in which companies find themselves. Some will find the market competitive; others will not. We must, therefore, continue to drive competitiveness.

On average Irish small businesses enjoy slightly cheaper electricity prices than their European counterparts. Domestic customers enjoy prices fractionally below the European average. Those households which will feel the effect of a €30 addition to their bills have a way out by switching user.

The future is in renewables, not in nuclear-generated power. Senator Coffey likes to present the nuclear option as one in which we build a nuclear power station and just plug it in. One has to build a massive regulatory and inspection regime-----