Brendan Ryan (Labour)

I agree with previous speakers that this section should be withdrawn. It is the promotion of competition gone mad. I certainly am surprised to see such a provision in a Bill that is being promoted by a Green Party Minister. If one considers, for example, the opening of the electricity market in the past, at least then the electricity networks were in separate ownership and the associated charges were common to both competitors. While one could argue realistically that such a measure made sense, this proposal does not make sense at all. I agree with those speakers who have asked for this section to be withdrawn and repeat my earlier comment this is competition gone mad.