Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:127 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans for the future of the electricity market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25939/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 21 October 2004
Ceisteanna (132)
Freagraí scríofa
I presume the Deputy is referring to my plans for the further liberalisation of the Irish electricity market. The liberalisation of the electricity market is well under way and is proceeding on a phased basis under the regulatory oversight of the Commission for Energy Regulation.
Under the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 and the European Communities (Internal Market in Electricity) Regulations 2000, a new regulatory regime has been established in Ireland which is designed to facilitate and stimulate properly regulated and fair competition. Combined, these two legal instruments implementing EU Electricity Directive (96/92/EC) Concerning Common Rules for the Internal Market in Electricity, provide the overall legislative framework for the developing competitive electricity sector.
The Electricity Regulation Act 1999 provided for the introduction of limited competition in the electricity market and for the establishment of the CER which took over from the ESB the function of licensing the generation and supply of electricity and overseeing access to the transmission and distribution systems and related charges. The subsequent European Communities (Internal Market in Electricity) Regulations 2000, provided for, inter alia, the licensing and establishment of the independent transmission system operator known as EirGrid and the functions and licensing of the transmission system owner and distribution system operator.
My Department is finalising regulations to give effect to the EU Electricity Directive 2003/54/EC concerning common rules for the internal market in electricity and repealing Directive 96/92/EC. In the main, the directive strengthens the unbundling provisions of the transmission and distribution system operators, explicitly provides for levels of consumer protection, sets out a timetable for market opening and requires member states to ensure proper regulation by independent national regulatory authorities. The current regulatory framework in Ireland already takes account of many of the provisions of this new directive and the new regulations will build on the measures already in place.
Question No. 128 answered with QuestionNo. 51.
Questions Nos. 129 to 131, inclusive, answered with Question No. 22.