You’ve been consulted - so now put pen to paper

WHOEVER said the pen was mightier than the sword never had their writing hand lopped off with a sharp blade.

Yet that’s pretty much the effect of the recent missive from the Commission for Energy Regulation after the ESB asked it for permission to hike electricity bills by 8% from September.

The commission announced it would approve the price rise - albeit taking effect from October rather than next month - and that it would confirm this decision after a period of public consultation that ends later this month.