Mark Wall (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for the comprehensive reply. I am aware of the Minister's role in this but I also believe he should be aware of what is happening on the ground. I appreciate the CRU is an independent authority and it should be so but the Minister is responsible for energy provision in this country. If there are continual unplanned outages in certain areas of the country - and I believe from speaking to colleagues that this is not just in my own area but right throughout the State - the Minister should take some responsibility for that. I will ensure it is raised at the committee, as the Minister of State has mentioned in his reply, but I ask the Minister of State to go back to the Minister, Deputy Ryan, and ask him to make sure he is doing everything in his power to ensure the power that comes into our homes is available to people when they are paying such high prices. We know we have some of the highest electricity costs in this country so I am asking the Minister of State to bring this back to the Minister, Deputy Ryan.

I made contact with Airtricity and the ESB and I will also make contact with the committee but it is very important that the Minister knows exactly what is happening on the ground. As the Minister of State said himself, it is not just in south Kildare this is happening, it is right throughout the State. We need to ensure people can use those medical devices and people can continue to work from home.