Vol. 482 No. 6
106 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the reason the previous Bill regarding the Utilities Regulatory Commission is not on the published list of the programme of legislation by this Government; and if she will pursue the establishment of a regulatory commission which would be responsible for the independent regulation of energy and transport sectors. [18553/97]
The reason there is no Bill regarding a Utilities Regulatory Commission on the published list of the programme of legislation is because no decision has been taken by this Government to establish such a commission.
As the Deputy will be aware, a regulator for telecommunications has already been established. Regulation of the electricity industry is being considered in the context of the relevant EU directive which is to be implemented in Ireland in February 2000. Ongoing negotiations on the proposed EU directive on the gas industry will have implications for regulation in that area. Likewise, the question of regulation in any of the transport areas will be examined as necessary.
I am keeping the options for regulation of the various sectors under the aegis of my Department under review. I am not yet convinced that an allembracing regulatory commission is the best solution. The alternative options of specific industry regulation or sectoral regulation need to be examined further.
