Sir, – Michael Redfern (Letters, December 3rd) rightly pointed to anomalies between the falling price of crude oil and the cost of transport fuel.
In the past, when oil prices rose, utility providers were sharply out of the blocks demanding increases to utility charges, while during the months of falling prices they have been remarkably quiet. But then so too has the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER).
One of the duties for the CER is to ensure that prices charged to consumers are fair and reasonable. It is now time for the CER to act on behalf of the people it is supposed to represent and force these companies – some of which make huge annual profits – to reduce their utility rates. We all could do with a little austerity respite. – Yours, etc, JOHN BELLEW Dunleer, Co Louth.