John Bruton
Question:25 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if compliance by Ireland with the Helsinki and Sofia Protocols will involve a 3 per cent overall increase in Irish electricity prices.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Compliance with Helsinki and Sofia Protocols.
The ESB's most recent estimate for extra costs attributable to compliance with the Helsinki and Sofia Protocols indicate that electricity prices could rise by up to 3 per cent.
Who will pay the extra 3 per cent electricity charges in Ireland? Will it be ordinary consumers, including old age pensioners, or will it be consumers who already receive electricity at much lower prices than would currently be justified because their original contracts were entered into at a time when there was over-capacity in generation where there is now under capacity?
The Department of Transport, Energy and Communications is considering the position. We wish to minimise as far as possible any price increase without jeopardising the financial stability of the ESB. When we have concluded our deliberations on that matter the Minister will take the conclusions to Cabinet.
Has the Minister of State engaged in any discussion with the Combat Poverty Agency or any other agencies representing vulnerable sections of our community in regard to the impact on them of a 3 per cent increase in electricity prices?
The Department is in constant communication with other Departments and agencies pertaining to all matters. The Deputy will agree that at the end of the day we must be seen to be uniform in whatever decision is taken. When all the conclusions are arrived at the Cabinet will take a final decision.
When is the 3 per cent increase — about which the Minister of State seems to know so little — likely to take effect?
The date of implementation has not been decided yet but the final conclusions will be arrived at some time later this year and a decision will be taken.
I am calling Question No. 27.