Retaining energy sector vital

International crises, no matter where they occur, drive the price of oil up and down like a yo-yo, thereby affecting the cost of living in Ireland and every country which has to buy its oil and gas on the international markets, not to mention wheelers and dealers at all levels in between.

Very often before the oil even comes out of the ground, stifling business growth and causing difficulties for industry, businesses and families throughout the land.

If this was not bad enough, the Government are selling off Bord Gáis. A price hike of gas of 3-4% is now in the pipeline, if it has not already been put in place. It is time to realise that when our Government sell off the nation’s profitable industries and vital resources they are also selling off jobs. The priority of private enterprise is profit. Soon after the purchase has been made the companies enter a period of ‘consolidation’, ‘centralisation’, etc (pick any ‘ation’ you like!) and then we see the news cameras at the gates asking the workers when did they hear about the redundancies.