asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy the date the most recent ESB price rise application was submitted to the NPC; the date it was first submitted to the Government for its consideration; and the date of the Government's decision.

The application by the Electricity Supply Board to the National Prices Commission was originally made at the end of last year. Consideration of the application was protracted. This was largely due to a number of revisions subsequently made by the ESB of their original application because of fuel oil price increases in the interim, and to the rigorous examination given to the application.

It is the prerogative and has been the general practice of successive Governments not to divulge information relating to the consideration of matters by them nor to give the dates of Government decisions.

Is it reasonable to assume that the Government's decision in this matter was at least four to five weeks prior to the European and local elections?

It is not the practice, as I have said, to give that kind of information, but, without prejudice, the answer is no.

If it is unreasonable to assume four or five weeks before the elections, may we ask the Minister when?

No. I informed the Deputy that it is not the practice to divulge information regarding Government decisions.

Why was the decision in question deliberately delayed until after the close of the polls for the local and European elections?

The polls for the European and local elections have no bearing on this. It was decided in the normal way.

Would the Minister not agree that it was quite an extraordinary coincidence?

It may well be a coincidence.

It is quite extraordinary.