The importance of energy utilities, bath electricity and gas, in a mode economy is often underestimated. It is only when a problem occurs that public attention is, perforce, focused on their operations. However, their central economic role merits more constant and focused interest from policy makers. Throughout Europe there is a new interest in the operation of energy utilities and close
attention is being paid to how they are structured, to the role of competition in ensuring efficient operation, to security of supply, and to the environmental consequences of the way they are operated. The Commission of the European Communities has made some of the running in recent years. However, as in so many other areas, the need to re-examine policy in Ireland stems primarily from our own requirements rather than from any external imperative
