Quinn, Noonan turn their fire on O'Rourke

Opposition leaders have sharply criticised the Minister for Public Enterprise, Ms O'Rourke, for her handling of the liberalisation of gas and electricity services. Mr Michael Noonan, the Fine Gael leader, said the opposition was "uneasy" with Ms O'Rourke's relationships with many of the State-sponsored bodies under her remit. Labour leader Mr Ruairi Quinn said he had "no confidence" in the Minister and he was fearful of the manner in which liberalisation of the energy market in Ireland would take place "as long as she remains Minister".

The party leaders were speaking during a 70-minute debate on the Stockholm European council meeting which the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, attended last weekend.

Opening the debate, Mr Ahern said that at Stockholm, EU States were defending their national interests and the council failed to agree on target dates for the full liberalisation of the gas and electricity sectors. France in particular, had "real difficulties" with this.

"We have committed ourselves to further considering the timetable for liberalisation and have asked the Commission to evaluate these sectors further," the Taoiseach said.

Mr Noonan, however, focused on Ms O'Rourke's tenure as Minister and said her "record of interference" in the affairs of State-sponsored bodies "of confrontation with their senior management and of intolerance of points of view other than her own has stifled the talent in these organisations and impeded their development".

"The ESB and An Bord Gais have the experience and skills needed to take advantage of EU liberalisation. I ask that they be given the freedom and encouragement to get on with it." Mr Noonan said he was concerned about the slow progress in the first phase of electricity liberalisation in Ireland and the many difficulties being experienced by prospective new entrants to the market. "These problems must be addressed as a matter of urgency if our energy sector is to remain competitive in a fully liberalised EU market."

Mr Quinn said his party had no confidence in the "political ability or ministerial competence of the Minister for Public Enterprise". He said that while her political skills were undoubted "her stewardship of the Department of Public Enterprise leaves much to be desired. We are fearful of the manner in which liberalisation of the gas and electricity markets will take place in Ireland as long as she remains Minister."

He added: "We need an effective energy market and security of supply to respect and recognise Ireland's strategic interests. To do that, we need the legislation to be brought forward to give effect to it. It is inexplicable why the necessary legislation at domestic level is not brought forward."