Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 May 2022
193. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the Iberian exception recently approved by the European Commission for Spain and Portugal (details supplied); if he has engaged with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities to consider a similar approach to reducing electricity costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24852/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe electricity and gas retail markets in Ireland operate within a European Union regulatory regime wherein electricity and gas markets are commercial, liberalised, and competitive.
Operating within this overall EU framework, responsibility for the regulation of the electricity and gas markets, including is a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), which was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity and gas markets following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act (ERA), 1999.The CRU is an independent statutory regulator and is accountable for the performance of its functions to the Oireachtas, and not to me as Minister or Government.
The Deputy may wish to note that CRU provides a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, which enables them raise questions on energy regulatory matters to CRU at oireachtas@cru.ie for timely direct reply.
The European Commission are scheduled to launch a communication this week focussed on electricity market design. Once published my Department will review the communication carefully and engage with the CRU to understand its potential implications for Ireland.
