The battle for market share in the electricity market between the ESB and Viridian has yet to produce a winner. So far the two sides have failed to strike a decisive blow and the inconclusive mud-slinging looks set to continue.

But the first own goal may have been scored during the week by Viridian and its partner in the Huntstown project - CRH. During a press briefing, the representatives of Viridian contended that the ESB was "abusing its dominant position" as a "monopoly".

However, they were less surefooted when asked about the "`monopoly" position of CRH in the Irish cement market. Viridian's spokesmen, shifting uneasily in their chairs, replied that it was not relevant to power generation.