Energy price hikes - Monopolies must be overhauled

GLARING disparities between the prices Irish householders are paying for gas and electricity compared with their British counterparts demand a major policy change in the public interest.

As revealed today by the Irish Examiner, from next month householders here will be paying a staggering 87% more for gas supplies than British consumers.

Our analysis, comparing existing prices in Britain with the bills Irish consumers are set to face, also shows that if ESB’s proposed 19.7% hike is approved, electricity bills will be a shocking 54% bigger than in Britain and 26% more than the North.