Currently, I have certain limited statutory powers to give directions to the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER, solely on electricity trading arrangements.
As is common practice with other sectoral regulators, I am proposing, in line with Government approval, to take powers to issue policy directions of a general nature to the CER. Such a provision is included in the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill which is currently being drafted by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. This Bill is scheduled for publication in the second quarter of 2005.