Yesterday’s decision by the Energy Regulator to approve an 8.5% rise in residential gas prices for Bord Gáis customers from October means that the semi-state company’s prices have jumped by almost 30% in a year.

Gas bills are set to rise as Bord Gáis looks for a 10% price hike from the Energy Regulator.

A Fine Gael councillor has described as “unacceptable” the failure of the Government to bring a 500-plus jobs project to fruition.

The chief executive of Shannon Development called on all sides in the dispute on the development of a proposed €1bn liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility to enter talks and reach a compromise solution.

Figures released by the Energy Regulator today show that the number of gas and electricity customers being disconnected are down almost 30% on last year.

HOUSEHOLDS thinking of joining, rejoining or reaffirming their allegiance to the ESB have been advised not to rush into it until they consider all their options.

AT a time when our misfortunes are denominated in billions it may seem of little importance to consider the waste of a few million.

The ESB has said it supports a proposal from the Energy Regulator which aims to throw a lifelife to householders who are struggling to keep up with their bills.

The Energy Regulator is planning to ease the pressure on householders reconnecting to electricity or gas supplies.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen was accused of lacking compassion for cash-strapped householders struggling to pay for heating today.

Bord Gais and the ESB will appear before an Oireachtas Committee later over rising prices and disconnections.

SUPPORT groups have appealed to the ESB to show sympathy towards struggling consumers, as new figures show up to 900 households a month are having their electricity cut off for failing to pay bills.

The Energy Regulator is today cautioning customers not to expect dramatic reductions in energy bills when the electricity market is fully opened to competition.

The Energy Regulator is reportedly set to announce a double-digit cut in ESB prices within the next two weeks.

The Energy Regulator has cleared the way for the ESB to purchase electricity from households that have their own wind generators.

IN light of the recent authority given by the Energy Regulator to the ESB for yet another increase, this proves that regulators in all industries do more to support who they regulate than they do for the customer.

The ESB is reportedly set to seek a 30% increase in the price of electricity due to the spiralling cost of oil on international markets.

Electricity bills in the North could go up by as much as 30% by the end of this year, it was revealed today.

The Energy Regulator has announced another reduction in gas prices which will come into effect later this year.

COMMON sense has prevailed with Bord Gáis and the ESB. The decision by the Energy Regulator to cut the proposed rise in electricity prices from 19.7% to 12.6% is good news for consumers.

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has formally requested that the Energy Regulator rescind the recent 20% hike in electricity prices.

People on social welfare are to be given more free electricity, it emerged today as the Government moved to ease the crippling burden of rising energy prices.

The Consumers' Association has urged the Government and the Energy Regulator to resist An Bord Gáis’s latest request for a massive price hike.

THE Government and the opposition should work together to tackle long- term energy problems, the Green Party said yesterday.

The average domestic gas bill is set to rise by €200 a year following a decision by the Energy Regulator to allow Bord Gáis a 25% increase from October.

The Energy Regulator is likely to give the go-ahead for a 25% hike in gas prices from October.

THE rise and rise of Airtricity, Ireland’s largest wind farm company, is one of the most striking indigenous success stories of recent times.

A new provision known as "Fast Build" is being put in place by the Energy Regulator to cater for potential shortages in Ireland's electricity supply.

An urgent investigation into a 20% rise in gas bills in Northern Ireland next week was ordered by a British government minister today.

A RISE in gas and electricity bills couldn’t come at a worse time, consumer groups warned yesterday, after the announcement that Bord Gáis was set to apply for an increase.