asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will introduce legislation to provide that E.S.B. charges shall be calculated on the amount of current consumed rather than on a valuation basis.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - E.S.B. Charges.
I presume that the Deputy refers to the system whereby domestic consumers of electricity pay a fixed charge based on the number of rooms or floor area together with a charge for each unit consumed. The fixed charge based on poor law valuation was abolished in 1954.
Under existing legislation responsibility for fixing charges for electricity rests on the E.S.B. and I have no functions in the matter. I do not propose to introduce any legislation which would have the effect of interfering with the board's discretion as to the basis of charging.