Cheaper gas - A welcome reduction

GAS users are to benefit from another fall in prices.

This time the cut is 8% which means that users have enjoyed a 33% fall in prices in a little more than 12 months.

The Commission for Energy Regulation is yet to rule on the Bord Gáis proposal but if endorsed, as is expected, the reduction will take affect in February.

Such a cut would be welcome at any time but coming just as we are all braced for today’s difficult budget it is doubly welcome. It may help, in some minor way, to offset some of the measures Mr Lenihan will introduce.

However, it once again underlines how utterly dependent we are on international energy markets and imported fuels.