Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 November 2023
79. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on when his officials last met with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities to discuss the delays in establishing new electricity connections to housing schemes, such as (details supplied); if he will provide an update on what his Department is doing to advance policy in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49852/23]
View answerResponsibility for the regulation of the electricity market is a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) which is an independent regulator, accountable to a committee of the Oireachtas and not the Minister. The CRU was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity sector following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 and subsequent legislation.
The management of connection of domestic new builds to the electricity grid is a matter for ESB Networks, under rules determined by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). ESB Networks are independent of the Minister in the exercise of their functions.
The CRU and ESB Networks have respective contact email address for Deputies, of which they are aware, should they wish to raise matters of concern such as that raised in the question. In this instance, my Department has forwarded the query raised in the question to the CRU for their attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
