Rabbitte: ESB break-up 'not the way forward'

on 21/03/2013 09:14:47

The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Pat Rabbitte has said he is not in favour of breaking up the ESB.

Mr Rabbitte said people don't appreciate the importance of the country having its own electricity networks.

Minister Rabbitte made the comments in an interview with the Irish Independent.

Speaking at an event in Dublin this morning, he said even though the retail arm of Bord Gais has been put up for sale, the same thing should not happen to the ESB.

Mr Rabbitte said: "Breaking up the ESB would not be the way forward.

"The ESB is a hugely important, indigineous, Irish multi-national and people probably don't have sufficient regard for it, or take energy security for granted, and we can't do that.

"We have to invest in the networks and build out of the networks."