The chief executive of Northern Ireland energy company Viridian says steady progress has been made on deregulating the electricity market, but there are still a number of issues to be resolved.
Patrick Haren told the Dublin Chamber of Commerce that an integrated all island market was vital, but added that progress towards this had not been as rapid as anyone would have liked.
He also expressed concern that Ireland has not been able to attract new market entrants able to make significant investments in the industry. 'A large number of potential new entrants have looked at the market but then walked away,' said Mr Haren.
He welcomed the Commission for Energy Regulation's review of the Irish electricity market, which he hoped would address what he called failings in the current market structure.
