asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if newspaper reports of another increase in the cost of electricity are correct; and if he proposes to sanction this increase in view of its inflationary effects and of the resultant hardship.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Electricity Charges.
26.
In a statement issued by the Government on the 9th May, 1975, it was announced that the Government had accepted a recommendation of the National Prices Commission that an application from the ESB for an average increase of 18.3 per cent in basic tariffs be allowed. This increase represents an average overall increase of 14 per cent in ESB charges and will apply to bills issuing after July 1st, 1975, in respect of the May/June billing period.
In making its recommendation, the Commission had regard to the statutory obligation of the ESB to balance revenue and expenditure each year.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the commission in their report stated that, by virtue of the terms of the Electricity Supply Act, 1927, they had no option but to allow this to go through, even though they disagreed with it, and they said in the report that, if normal price increase application criteria were applied, the increase would be considerably lower?
I do not think they actually said they disagreed. They said they were constrained to abide by the terms of the Electricity Supply Act, 1927.
Has the Parliamentary Secretary anything to say about the inflationary effects and the resultant hardship on the community to which I referred in the question?
I think that was discussed yesterday.
And the Government had nothing to say and could not care less.
The Deputy was not present for much of the debate, having intervened at the outset and, if he wanted to hear what the Government had to say, he should have been here.
Is it intended to have a further increase in the next four months?
There is no such intention.
Why, if that is so, did the ESB inform the National Prices Commission, as stated by the commission in their report, that they will be applying for another increase as from 1st September next?
The Parliamentary Secretary is not aware of that. He stated there was no further intention though the ESB have already announced it.
What the ESB applied for is one thing and what is granted is another. An application received from the ESB will be considered in the normal manner.
This matter is more appropriate to the Estimate before the House and it can be fully ventilated on that Estimate.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary stating that the next application for an increase will not be granted?
No.