Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am afraid it does not reassure me at all. All we need to is look at the regulator in other spheres in this country. It would be fair criticism to state that regulators do not act in the interests of the consumer. There are many who would argue that the regulators are adding to the consumers' costs because of the manner in which they administer. I was previously a member of the relevant joint committee and we brought some of these regulators before us. I would say they were among some of the most unimpressive persons to come before us during my last term in this House, and it concerns me.

The Minister of State is setting up a monopoly and all he has to depend on is the regulator. He dismissed what I stated about Bord Gáis.