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Replying To Lockjaw:  "You're right lad. I'm no economist and I'm not a conspiracy nut either. There are more enlightened and intelligent people than me on these boards who could give an explanation. But this morning there is a news article on the RTE website which alludes to the fact that through a complicated pricing system, the price of gas determines the price of electricity.

Wholesale prices have fallen since their peak last August and are now actually lower than what they were before Russia invaded Ukraine. Because of the relatively mild winter across Europe, there has been a less than anticipated demand for gas. So if there's less demand wholesale price goes down.

Apparently energy companies purchase quantities of gas at different times and at different prices in order to "hedge" themselves against future potential geopolitical incidents which can dramatically affect the cost of gas. So just because gas today costs £1.70 per therm (it was as high as £8 per therm last August) it doesn't automatically follow that our gas and electricity prices will fall accordingly.

But there's no doubt about it, even with the explanation above there has to be price gouging going on. You only have to see the astronomical profits these energy companies are making. As ever, it's the regular Joe feeling the pinch with these things."
Very informative there, cheers for posting

There's ludicrous fake profits being made here at a time of crisis

That will definitely be addressed in time

Unnatural levels of profit being made

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20763 - 13/01/2023 13:35:39    2452314

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "You're right lad. I'm no economist and I'm not a conspiracy nut either. There are more enlightened and intelligent people than me on these boards who could give an explanation. But this morning there is a news article on the RTE website which alludes to the fact that through a complicated pricing system, the price of gas determines the price of electricity.

Wholesale prices have fallen since their peak last August and are now actually lower than what they were before Russia invaded Ukraine. Because of the relatively mild winter across Europe, there has been a less than anticipated demand for gas. So if there's less demand wholesale price goes down.

Apparently energy companies purchase quantities of gas at different times and at different prices in order to "hedge" themselves against future potential geopolitical incidents which can dramatically affect the cost of gas. So just because gas today costs £1.70 per therm (it was as high as £8 per therm last August) it doesn't automatically follow that our gas and electricity prices will fall accordingly.

But there's no doubt about it, even with the explanation above there has to be price gouging going on. You only have to see the astronomical profits these energy companies are making. As ever, it's the regular Joe feeling the pinch with these things."
Technology is moving so fast that the user manual is out of date before the ink is dry. There appears to be a question mark hanging over the smart meter and rightly so, the old mechanical numeric meter that is being phased out is no different to the phasing out of the old-style dial land line house phone, they both had limited ability, the digital phone and the smart meter have one thing in common they both store and feedback a variety of valuable information, the one piece of modern technology that scares me is the mobile smart phone of which I also find it a personal threat to reasonable privacy, so in a roundabout way the same could be said regarding a smart meter.

For the moment people have the option of holding on to their old traditional meter but one thing is sure that option will end, all new houses, apartments and dwellings being built are all being fitted out with smart meters.

No one must qualify as an economist to know how the system works rather it's knowing when it works fairly and without bias.

The connection between gas and electricity charges is electricity is manufactured mainly from gas powered turbines and more so since they shut down the peat powered plants in Shannon Bridge and Lanesboro.

There appears to be three categories that our charges fall into, 1. a charge for not using enough units, 2 a charge for using too many units, 3, a standard charge, possibly for using an average number of units. Different providers calculate their charges very differently.

In a post of mine (2407) page 47 I sort of predicted a change in pricing that might take place after Christmas, coincidental or otherwise, I think it's happening.


I hope I don't fall into the category of a conspiracy theorists; I just go by my gut feeling and my bit of limited knowledge.


NB. The special offers the energy providers offer potential customers to sign up to their plan is in my opinion questionable. One provider was giving 26% off their bill just to change over to them for 12 months, other providers had their own special offers of discount rates, that makes no sense to me at all, effectively it means they are already overcharging by up to 26%, think about it. Question, why is the energy regulator not getting involved, at least for explanatory reasons.

supersub15 (Carlow) - Posts: 3179 - 13/01/2023 14:23:25    2452323

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Replying To thelongridge:  "The smart meter automatically submits a meter reading. You are not obliged to join a plan. I had a meter installed last Autumn, and I get periodic reminders from ESB to join a plan.
The concept was not fully explained in all detail when smart meters were being promoted."
Longridge it might be worth your while checking out the different plans with your ESB supplier (Electric Ireland) and see what one suits your particular needs.
I had a quick look at their website a couple of minutes ago and was surprised to see that their rates change quiet a bit between the different times of the day and between the different plans that they offer. For example with smart meters they appear to offer the following tarriffs;

1. Home Dual + 39.59 per KWatt Hour (Unit)
I presume this is what people go on to when they have a smart meter installed? (Not 100% sure about this)

2. Home Duel + SST
8.00 - 23.00 43.1p (More expensive than the first plan)
23.00 - 8.00 22.65p (Huge saving for using electricity at night with this plan, if safe to do so?)
Peak 17.00 - 19.00 45.96p (More expensive that the first plan)

3. Home Dual + Night Boost
8.00 - 23.00 42.3p (More expensive than the first plan)
23.00 - 8.00 20.86p (Much Cheaper)
Night Boost (2.00 - 4.00) 12.25p (Really Cheap if you have time control of water heating etc)

They also appear to be offering discounts when people change over to Electric Ireland and sigh 12 month contracts.

I did not look at other suppliers to see what their rates were. There might well be more competitive.

It do not think that smart meters are all negative. As with most decisions in life there are pro's and con's.
The pro's are:
* No more need for estimated bills.
* By getting more accurate information on your energy usage, you will have greater control over your energy consumption and possibly save some money.

It did not take that much effort to find the above information, and I really think that a small bit of extra research could possibly save you some money. (The time taken v long term payback in euro's would be worth it!!!)

letsgetgoing (Roscommon) - Posts: 727 - 13/01/2023 15:41:43    2452340

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Anyone been to New York lately? Or any posters living in the Big Apple? Might be heading over with work in a few months and am thinking of bringing the family along to combine it for a 5 day mini-break.

Probably gonna be based in Manhattan near Times Square. Anything new or exciting to see other than the main attractions we should consider? I'd like to see the Edge or the Summit and we'll probably have a look at the Vessel. I see that the upper levels are closed because of some very sad incidents which occurred in the last few years.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9755 - 17/01/2023 09:49:47    2452797

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "Anyone been to New York lately? Or any posters living in the Big Apple? Might be heading over with work in a few months and am thinking of bringing the family along to combine it for a 5 day mini-break.

Probably gonna be based in Manhattan near Times Square. Anything new or exciting to see other than the main attractions we should consider? I'd like to see the Edge or the Summit and we'll probably have a look at the Vessel. I see that the upper levels are closed because of some very sad incidents which occurred in the last few years."
Have you been before and if so on many occasions? Might help people narrow down advice etc.
Didnt like times square or much around it..

KillingFields (Limerick) - Posts: 3758 - 23/01/2023 20:43:34    2453813

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Replying To KillingFields:  "Have you been before and if so on many occasions? Might help people narrow down advice etc.
Didnt like times square or much around it.."
Yeah I've been before a few times so I have a bit of an idea. I don't think there's much to Times Square either but it's a great base for getting to everywhere else we'll want to go. Looking at the doing the below as a provisional itinerary.

- Top of the Rock
- Edge/Summit (gonna do one or the other so opinions welcome here)
- Harbour Lights Manhattan cruise
- World Trade Center
- Brooklyn Bridge
- Broadway Show (ticket prices permitting)
- Easter Sunday mass @ St. Patrick's Cathedral
- Central Park pedicab

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9755 - 24/01/2023 09:48:40    2453841

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "Yeah I've been before a few times so I have a bit of an idea. I don't think there's much to Times Square either but it's a great base for getting to everywhere else we'll want to go. Looking at the doing the below as a provisional itinerary.

- Top of the Rock
- Edge/Summit (gonna do one or the other so opinions welcome here)
- Harbour Lights Manhattan cruise
- World Trade Center
- Brooklyn Bridge
- Broadway Show (ticket prices permitting)
- Easter Sunday mass @ St. Patrick's Cathedral
- Central Park pedicab"
Ellis Island the immigration museum is very interesting.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 15691 - 24/01/2023 09:55:27    2453844

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "Yeah I've been before a few times so I have a bit of an idea. I don't think there's much to Times Square either but it's a great base for getting to everywhere else we'll want to go. Looking at the doing the below as a provisional itinerary.

- Top of the Rock
- Edge/Summit (gonna do one or the other so opinions welcome here)
- Harbour Lights Manhattan cruise
- World Trade Center
- Brooklyn Bridge
- Broadway Show (ticket prices permitting)
- Easter Sunday mass @ St. Patrick's Cathedral
- Central Park pedicab"
I know it's a slow game but take in a game at Yankee stadium if there's one there while you are there. Americas national pastime. And the 1st time I went I got my cousin to bring me to an Italian deli for a "pastrami on rye". Dinner in a sandwich it was so big!

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 15691 - 24/01/2023 10:23:11    2453855

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Replying To Gaa_lover:  "In regards to George Best. He was named European Footballer of the Year in 1968 and came fifth in the FIFA Player of the Century that is very definition of great. And best players that played alongside him called him great which i think I'd judge more than what's written here. No offence supersub15"
My dad is a die hard Liverpool fan but still maintains Best was the greatest player he ever saw.

yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11561 - 24/01/2023 10:51:34    2453872

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "Yeah I've been before a few times so I have a bit of an idea. I don't think there's much to Times Square either but it's a great base for getting to everywhere else we'll want to go. Looking at the doing the below as a provisional itinerary.

- Top of the Rock
- Edge/Summit (gonna do one or the other so opinions welcome here)
- Harbour Lights Manhattan cruise
- World Trade Center
- Brooklyn Bridge
- Broadway Show (ticket prices permitting)
- Easter Sunday mass @ St. Patrick's Cathedral
- Central Park pedicab"
FAO Schwarz toy shop. For kids and big kids!
John Lennon's apartment, Dakota Apartments near Central Park.
Strawberry Fields, Central Park.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7971 - 24/01/2023 15:43:45    2454006

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Replying To yew_tree:  "My dad is a die hard Liverpool fan but still maintains Best was the greatest player he ever saw."
Liverpool are not great either, nah.

supersub15 (Carlow) - Posts: 3179 - 24/01/2023 18:37:30    2454052

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There's a river cruise that goes all around Manhattan. Totally different view of the city and there was brilliant city historian on the one I was on years ago, Just wrap up well! Then drop down to Hell's Kitchen which is where the boat docks. Not sure if the Blarney Stone is still there. Don't stay late :-)

BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 3515 - 26/01/2023 15:56:30    2454429

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Replying To BarneyGrant:  "There's a river cruise that goes all around Manhattan. Totally different view of the city and there was brilliant city historian on the one I was on years ago, Just wrap up well! Then drop down to Hell's Kitchen which is where the boat docks. Not sure if the Blarney Stone is still there. Don't stay late :-)"
The new York pass is a good shout.

Reduced rates and priority queuing at most of the main attractions.

Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 3575 - 26/01/2023 16:38:04    2454434

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Replying To Doylerwex:  "The new York pass is a good shout.

Reduced rates and priority queuing at most of the main attractions."
It is and a metro card is a essential item too. Good while since i was last there. Getting back to being a dangerous place outside of the main drag again. Which is a pity as it was one of the safest big cities in America 10 years ago. Bring back Rudi!

BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 3515 - 26/01/2023 17:07:35    2454450

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Replying To BarneyGrant:  "It is and a metro card is a essential item too. Good while since i was last there. Getting back to being a dangerous place outside of the main drag again. Which is a pity as it was one of the safest big cities in America 10 years ago. Bring back Rudi!"
Rudi hasn't been Mayor for more than 20 years. Almost every measure of crime in NY is better now (and has been consistently better for the past 20 years) than it was during his era. He certainly did significantly more than his predecessors to make the city safer and deserves credit for that, but his successors continued that progress too. I don't think bringing back a guy who is now a raving lunatic, will do much for the recent uptick. NY is fine without him. (PS - Factcheck.org has some good stats on crime rates for those interested)

LongfordgaaAbú (Longford) - Posts: 612 - 26/01/2023 17:31:48    2454457

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Replying To LongfordgaaAbú:  "Rudi hasn't been Mayor for more than 20 years. Almost every measure of crime in NY is better now (and has been consistently better for the past 20 years) than it was during his era. He certainly did significantly more than his predecessors to make the city safer and deserves credit for that, but his successors continued that progress too. I don't think bringing back a guy who is now a raving lunatic, will do much for the recent uptick. NY is fine without him. (PS - Factcheck.org has some good stats on crime rates for those interested) "
It is the reversal of the previous hard line on crime and anti social behaviour by recent mayors, especially the current one, that has been responsible for the change.

Giluiani is not coming back so that's a red herring. NY is obviously not fine...

BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 3515 - 27/01/2023 12:07:28    2454530

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Thanks for the tips. Looking forward to it now. One of the great cities of the world.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9755 - 27/01/2023 13:00:24    2454554

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That's how to deal with pressure from Rory Mc Ilroy, Did his talking on the course.

Saynothing (Tyrone) - Posts: 2290 - 30/01/2023 10:59:36    2455201

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Replying To GreenandRed:  "FAO Schwarz toy shop. For kids and big kids!
John Lennon's apartment, Dakota Apartments near Central Park.
Strawberry Fields, Central Park."
FAO Schwarz is closed. Long Island city is a good base to stay. Just across the river in Queens with access to the subway. Hotels a bit cheaper out there too. Times Square is great to see once but I generally try to avoid it.

yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11561 - 30/01/2023 12:07:56    2455239

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Glad to hear there will be an inquiry into the Omagh bombing. Truely a desperate day for everyone living on the island. I hope it will bring some peace to the families of the victims.

bad.monkey (USA) - Posts: 4649 - 02/02/2023 15:13:08    2456036

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