Minister Daragh O’Brien On Energy Prices, Excise Cuts & Fare Increases
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
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Dara O'Brien is Minister for Climate, Energy, Environment and Transport. And as Minister for Transport, I have to ask you about those comments that we've played from Michael O'Leary, the Ryanair boss today, where he compared his competitors in the airline business to rapists. What do you make of that?
Yeah, look, they're wholly inappropriate. Like really, they're for... A successful businessman like Michael O'Leary, you know, those type of comments are just outrageous. And I'd agree with the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, the Women's Council of Ireland, and they're just wholly inoffensive. They're completely inappropriate. And the best thing for... Michael to do is to apologize and to withdraw them.
What did Minister O’Brien say about Michael O’Leary’s controversial comments?
There's no way on earth that that type of comparison should be made. It's just so serious in that regard that to make that type of comment is just, as I said, it's just wholly inappropriate. It's just wrong. And I think Michael should reflect on it and do the right thing and apologize and withdraw them and realize that in this instance, he's made a very grave mistake.
Okay, let's move to the things that I planned to talk to you about, particularly prices, because we have energy prices rising. We've had yesterday Borgosch Energy been the latest, I think the seventh company to increase gas and electricity prices. And going up by so much that many of the tax benefits that you're going to announce in the budget in this first week in October are likely to be almost wiped out by the increases that people are going to be dealing with because of increased energy. What do you think of the regulator allowing these to happen? Is the regulator taking enough consideration into account for the consumers of energy?
Yeah, look, it's a fair question. I do think the regulator I know, Crewe, and I know the commissioners in Crewe, they take their role very, very seriously. I think all of us know we live in a very volatile world right now and that... Particularly oil and gas prices are greatly affected and impacted due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. And that is having a direct effect on energy prices. And we're seeing that with a number of our retailers announcing quite significant increases. And there are households and indeed businesses under pressure in that regard. But
does the Commission for Regulation of Utilities pay sufficient regard to the needs of consumers and users? Or has it been captured by the producers who come in and tell it, oh, we need this money, we need to increase prices because our costs are up. Is it giving sufficient regard to the consumers who might not have a voice?
Yeah, look, that's a fair point. I believe they are. Consumer protection is critical. How I look at that in particular, this is something that I've discussed with crew and I've written to them about it. And also my talk about the CCPC as well, the Consumer Protection Commission, who I met just last week around price transparency, particularly at the pump, but also transparency around bills. So anyway, to get to your point, yes, I do believe so. I think where I see that really happening is if you look at the very, very small rate of disconnections in Ireland, it's minuscule. And we will ensure that anyone who is engaging with their energy provider on gas and electricity will not be disconnected. The rates are way below a percentage of a percentage.
So it doesn't happen in Ireland. And that's right and proper. The arrears amounts, I obviously have due regard for, particularly the 90-day arrears. We have seen somewhat of a levelling off, even with elevated prices over the last number of months. The 90 days arrears are really the ones that I look at quite closely. And we do see a significant number of households in difficulty with arrears, but have entered into repayment plans. The average arrears amount for electricity is around €500. The average arrears in gas is substantially lower, around €200.
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Chapters
4 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:00–0:52
2
What did Minister O’Brien say about Michael O’Leary’s controversial comments?
0:52–7:26
3
How is the energy regulator responding to the recent gas and electricity price hikes?
7:26–14:39
4
What measures are being taken to protect consumers from energy disconnections and arrears?
14:39–20:02
Speakers
2 identifiedMore from The Last Word with Matt Cooper
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