Responding to oil price rise

Madam, - Marc Coleman's suggestion that the State's response to rising oil prices should be to restore ESB's monopoly ("Oil challenge…

Madam, - Marc Coleman's suggestion that the State's response to rising oil prices should be to restore ESB's monopoly ("Oil challenge requires national response", Business This Week, July 8th) is like proposing that rising fuel costs should result in Aer Lingus being granted sole rights to operate flights from Ireland.

The introduction of competition in the airline industry has brought choice and competitive prices to Irish consumers, encouraging the State-owned airline to become a more responsive and efficient company than it had been previously.

Similarly, a competitive market in the generation and supply of electricity in Ireland will deliver choice and price benefits to customers. - Yours, etc,

ROBIN GREER, Group Corporate Communications Manager, Viridian Group plc, Belfast 9.