Peter Barry
Ceist:56 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Energy if he has investigated the charges, made by independent traders in electrical goods, that the ESB are indulging in unfair trading in the retailing of electrical appliances.
Written Answers. - ESB Electrical Goods Trading.
Nora Owen
Ceist:106 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Energy if he will give an up-to-date report on his investigation into the policy by the ESB to sell a variety of goods through their billing system which is causing concern to the small electrical retailers; and whether he intends to amend the legislation governing the ESB.
Máire Geoghegan-Quinn
Ceist:247 Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn asked the Minister for Energy if he will outline whether (a) he has received representations in connection with the ESB's unfair use of the billing system to the detriment of private sector electrical retailers and (b) he is having the matter investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 56, 106 and 247 together.
I have been aware for some time of the concern expressed by retailers about the ESB's use of its billing system in connection with sales of electrical appliances.
The electricity billing system is an integral part of the ESB's monopoly electricity supply business; I have concluded that it is not appropriate that it should be used by the board in the competitive appliance retail business. The billing for electricity supplied, and the account for any credit sale or hire purchase, should not be interlinked.
I have, therefore, asked the ESB to make the necessary arrangements to terminate the use of the billing system for new appliance sales with effect from 1 February 1992. Where customers have existing contracts, these will, of course, continue until the contract is completed.
There is no need to amend any legislation.