Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 October 2004
25 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to address rising energy costs and the effect on competitiveness of firms here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23595/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Competitiveness Council, NCC, statement on prices and costs 2004 states that electricity prices for industry have increased by approximately 40% in the past three years. Of the ten countries surveyed by the NCC, Ireland is the second most expensive for electricity for industrial users. According to EUROSTAT, Ireland was relatively cheap for gas tariffs for small and medium sized users, ranking us fifth out of ten countries as of January 2004. However, increasing energy costs are a matter of serious concern as they are an important component in the cost base for industry.
The NCC 2004 reports, the Annual Competitiveness Report 2004 and the Competitiveness Challenge 2004, will be published later this month and will contain detailed recommendations designed to address weaknesses in Ireland's competitiveness performance across a range of areas including energy costs. These will be addressed in the context of structures set up for consideration of the NCC recommendations.
