I would advise the Deputy that I have no function in the matter. Electricity and gas tariffs are the statutory responsibility of the Commission for Energy Regulation, under the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999, as amended by the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act, 2002, and the European Communities (Internal Market in Electricity) Regulations 2005.
I am advised that the CER has stated its intention re-examine fuel cost variation mechanisms in tariffs and will develop a consultation paper on this topic before the end of 2006. No additional legislative measures are required as the existing legislation allows the CER to consider such changes to tariff structures.