John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

The responsibilities of the CER include ensuring market stability and encouraging new market entrants; ensuring that tariffs are cost reflective; not discriminating unfairly between licensed operators in the State sector, such as ESB or Bord Gáis or the private sector; and exercising its functions in a manner that protects the interests of the final customers. It is important to maintain the independence of the regulator on tariff decisions to avoid political interference. There has been criticism of political interference which would undermine the necessary investments in the network.

With regard to the delegation of functions to the CER, the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources can and does call the CER to account for its performance of these delegated functions. The CER is accountable to the Minister and, more importantly, to the joint committee which can summon him at any time for discussions on his performance.

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