SWITCHING energy suppliers will not spare customers from the potential of blackouts, the head of the ESB group of unions has said.
Brendan Ogle warned that moving companies "won't make a blind bit of difference" should industrial action lead to power outages.
He made the comments after retail industry body Retail Excellence Ireland (REI) said that its members would withdraw support from [broken link removed]/Electric Ireland and move to other suppliers if strike action goes ahead next month.
Mr Ogle pointed out that ESB Networks was responsible for delivering power to indi-vidual properties, regardless of which company supplied the home or business.
"The electricity system requires people to work it and if those people are forced into industrial action, the electricity system isn't going to work, or it isn't going to work as efficiently as it worked," he said.
"It makes no difference who your energy supplier is. You could be an ESB customer somewhere and not be affected or you could be a competitor's customer somewhere and be affected. It is as random as that."
Mr Ogle's comments came after REI moved to put pressure on the ESB to resolve the dispute, which threatens to severely impact on trade.
REI chief executive David Fitzsimons said it would actively assist its members to change providers in the New Year, should next month's strike proceed.
Moving suppliers may not spare customers from blackouts, but there is little doubt the withdrawal of REI members would severely impact on Electric Ireland's profits next year.
The industry group represents over 1,100 retail companies, who operate 11,000 stores around the country.