asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether, in view of the general dissatisfaction with the new E.S.B. charges to consumers, he will arrange that consumers affected may individually or as organised groups petition the Prices Advisory Body to review the increased charges for electricity; and, if not, if he will state why the E.S.B. should be so protected when a similar undertaking, viz., the Alliance and Dublin Consumers Gas Company, had to appear before the Prices Advisory Body some 18 months ago when they were about to bring in increased charges for gas.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - E.S.B. Charges.
The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative.
As regards the remainder of the question, I would remind the Deputy that, unlike other public utility undertakings, the E.S.B. has no share capital to be remunerated by the distribution of annual dividends. On the contrary, there is an obligation imposed on the E.S.B. by statute to fix its charges at such a level as will ensure that its revenue will be sufficient, and only sufficient, to enable the board to pay its way.
As I informed the Deputy on the 25th February, the E.S.B. has stated that the recent change is designed to secure a simpler and more equitable system of charges which, while bringing the whole country closer to a uniform tariff, would not yield any additional net revenue to the board.