Neeson says Phoenix management should consider position

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 7th Apr 2004

ALLIANCE Assembly member Sean Neeson, former deputy chair of the Assembly committee on Enterprise, Trade and Investment, has said that the Regulator's report on Phoenix Gas is a damning indictment of the management of the natural gas industry in Northern Ireland.

Mr Neeson said: "As one of the strongest supporters of the development of the natural gas industry in Northern Ireland, I feel very badly let down by the recent decisions on price increases by Phoenix Gas.

"I am calling on the Government to carry out a major investigation into the operation of the industry here, but at the same time to ensure that natural gas is made available to as many areas in the Province as possible.

"I would also call on the management of Phoenix Gas to consider their positions, because what they have done has undermined confidence in the industry."