Liz McManus
Question:92 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when the domestic gas market will be opened to full competition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25670/04]
View answerThursday, 21 October 2004
Questions (102)
Written answers
A fully liberalised market will deliver the best value to consumers in the long run. It is my intention to introduce competition for domestic natural gas customers within 2005, by allowing BGE customers to shop around for their natural gas supplier. This is in advance of the deadline of 2007 set by the EU gas directive. Since July of this year all industrial and commercial gas customers, comprising 86% of the gas market by volume, have been free to switch supplier. Initiatives are also being taken by the Commission for Energy Regulation to encourage new suppliers in the Irish market. For example, the franchise for supplying natural gas to the towns of Galway, Athlone, Tullamore, Mullingar and Ballinasloe was recently awarded to Flogas.
The regulation of gas tariffs is a matter delegated under law to the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER. Accordingly I have no function in this. While the CER is currently undertaking a review of the structure of distribution and supply tariffs, there are not as yet any proposed changes on which I can comment.
Question No. 93 answered with QuestionNo. 22.
Question No. 94 answered with QuestionNo. 27.