Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 June 2016
199. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views that the Commission for Energy Regulation should introduce more regular reporting requirements to encourage wholesale gas and electricity providers to offer the most competitive prices to customers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16273/16]
View answerI have no statutory function in the setting, review or reporting of electricity or gas prices. Responsibility for electricity and gas market regulation is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which is an independent statutory body. However, for the information of the House, I can confirm that CER carries out statutory market monitoring functions, has the responsibility to ensure the market operates competitively for the benefit of the consumer, and accredits price comparison sites, such as www.bonkers.ie or www.switcher.ie, where energy consumers can assess prices and identify significant savings. A customer consuming the average amount of electricity could save over €150 by switching suppliers. The competitive energy market results in choice for consumers and businesses in terms of suppliers, products and prices, exerting downward pressure on prices.
Electricity and gas price statistics for Ireland and for both European Union (EU) and Eurozone Member States are publicly available. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) publishes biannual reports presenting electricity and gas price statistics from Ireland and all European Union Member States. These reports analyse electricity and natural gas price statistics, as published and collected by EUROSTAT for Ireland and other European countries under the methodology for the EU Gas and Electricity Price Transparency Directive 90/377/EEC as amended by Council Decision 2007/394/EC. The latest EUROSTAT average electricity and gas price statistics as published by the SEAI on their website relate to the first half of 2015.
On 29 April of this year, Electric Ireland announced a 6% reduction off their unit rate for domestic electricity consumers and on May 18 Electric Ireland announced that their customers could avail of additional savings of up to 8.5%. On the 1st June SSE Airtricity announced a 5% reduction off their unit rate for both electricity and gas consumers as well as launching a new 8% reward discount. While I have no statutory role in the setting, review or reporting of energy prices I welcome these reductions by energy suppliers in domestic gas and electricity prices.
