Vol. 568 No. 2
125 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will publish an energy Green paper or White paper or issue a directive to CER on Ireland's long-term energy strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15907/03]
While I am at present reviewing energy policy issues, I have not at this stage considered whether either a Green Paper or a White Paper is appropriate. The Commission for Energy Regulation, CER, was established under the provisions of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999, and had its regulatory powers extended to cover the gas industry under the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act 2002. It is the independent body responsible for overseeing the liberalisation of the electricity and gas markets in Ireland, which is proceeding on a phased basis. One of the key missions of the CER in this regard is to create market conditions that will induce prospective independent power producers to enter the Irish market.
The CER's functions, which are wide ranging, include, inter alia, authorising the construction of new generating plant; licensing companies to generate and supply electricity; regulating prices charged to customers by ESB public electricity supplier; granting consents for the construction of pipelines; licensing gas undertakings; regulating the operation, maintenance and licensing of the electricity and gas transmission and distribution networks; and regulating tariffs for third party access to the electricity and gas transmission and distribution systems. I do not have statutory power to issue general policy directions to the CER but that position can be revised if it becomes appropriate from a policy perspective.
