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Energy Regulation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 May 2014

Thursday, 8 May 2014

Ceisteanna (135)

Michael Moynihan

Ceist:

135. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the growth of the prepaid energy market; the number of persons now utilising prepaid energy packages; his views on whether there are any issues arising with regard to consumer protection in this market; his views on whether the Commission for Energy Regulation has the necessary resources and legislative authority to properly regulate this market and protect consumers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20747/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Responsibility for the regulation of the retail electricity market is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which is an independent statutory body. The overall aim of the CER’s economic role is to protect the interests of energy customers, maintain security of supply, and to promote competition in the generation and supply of electricity and supply of natural gas. The CER has an important related function in customer protection by resolving complaints that customers have with energy companies.

The CER was initially established as the Commission for Electricity Regulation under the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 and the functions and duties of the CER have been altered and expanded significantly by legislation transposing EU directives into Irish law and the introduction of new primary legislation. SI 463/2011 gives further legal effect to consumer protection provisions of Directive 2009/72/EC concerning common rules for the internal market in electricity and Directive 2009/73/EC concerning common rules for the internal market in natural gas, by strengthening the powers of the Commission for Energy Regulation in regard to consumer protection and imposing specific obligations on electricity and gas distribution system operators and suppliers.

The CER has set out guidelines for the protection of electricity and natural gas customers which require all suppliers to put in place codes of practice and customer charters guaranteeing a minimum level of service to all customers, including prepayment customers. Suppliers use the guidelines to develop their own documents which they must publish and publicise to their customers. All suppliers must meet the CER’s guidelines for the protection of all customers. Under the powers provided for in SI 463/2011, the CER offers a dispute resolution service for customers with an unresolved dispute with an energy undertaking. Customers may avail of this service where a supplier has not met the service levels set out in their customer charter and codes of practice. The CER has the power to investigate customers’ complaints and issue determinations for their resolution.

I am satisfied that the CER has the necessary resources and legislative authority to regulate this market properly and protect consumers and my Department is in frequent contact with the CER to monitor developments. I am aware of the potential difficulties for many customers and am anxious to ensure that all energy customers receive the utmost professional customer care from energy suppliers and have appropriate recourse to consumer protections, enforced by the CER.

Questions Nos. 136 and 137 answered with Question No. 131.
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