Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This morning, I read with a sense of disbelief and outrage that the ESB is pressing ahead with price rises of 6% although it has made profits of ¤213 million in the first six months of this year. While it is good news that it is making a profit, it is not good news that the board is pressing ahead with the price hike. This affects every household in the country. Some people's bills are as much as ¤200 per month and people are broke. The term, "semi-State", must mean something and this type of price hike has an incredible impact on the cost of living. The presence of the Minister in this House is required to have a full debate on this issue, as soon as he can manage it, because the term, "semi-State", must mean something. This increase indicates clearly there is insufficient competition because if it was sufficient, prices would be keener and more reasonable for householders. The term, "semi-State", means we have a stake in this commercial company and I believe we should use it. Consequently, I ask the Leader to schedule a debate at the earliest possible opportunity because the cost of living is out of control when one sees such bills coming to family homes every month.