'Small improvements are always very much fought against by the Forestry Service and by vested interests'

He said increases have also been seen things like the cost of food, sand for the golf course and even purchasing mattresses.

The ESB power check website estimates that all faults will be repaired by 2.30 this afternoon.

Although taxes and Government levies here are regularly criticised they are not the reason Irish consumers are paying more.

Noel Keelan said "this tells you the intentions of EirGrid".

Brian McKenna says there was a period last year when numerous vans were seen operating around a local mast.

The mast will constructed at ESB's Cavan Depot site.

People are left waiting 2 to 3 days for the electricity to be restored.