James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The amendment addresses a resourcing issue. The Bill confers a number of new powers and responsibilities on the Commission for Energy Regulation in respect of the sanctions regime, etc. In other cases where the powers of regulators have been expanded or sanctions increased, for example, in the case of the Central Bank of Ireland, additional resources were provided. The amendment will not address the resources issue immediately but provides that the Commission for Energy Regulation will, 18 months after the enactment of the legislation, engage with the Minister to address any resource issues that may have arisen. The purpose of the amendment is to provide for checks and balances.