Profits and prices at Bord Gáis

Madam, - Can someone explain how a State-run monopoly - Bord Gáis - has made over €295 million in profits during the past two years?

Surely the purpose of such an organisation is to serve the interests of Irish citizens and not to make colossal returns?

I certainly cannot understand how the company can justify requesting a 19 per cent price increase. I hope the Government will withhold its approval until Bord Gáis is in danger of making a loss. - Yours, etc,

JACK DOWNEY, Old Cratloe Road, Limerick.

Madam, - Thank you for the picture showing us how happy the Bord Gáis executives were when announcing substantial profit increases.

Were they, by any chance, on their way to the bank? - Yours etc,

DERMOT LAHIFF, Aidan Park, Shannon, Co Clare.