Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

The increased level of disconnections of gas and electricity customers is a concern for the Government, the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER, and energy utilities. I emphasise the key message for all customers, which is to contact their suppliers to make arrangements before the situation gets to the point of disconnection. I am assured by all energy suppliers that they will continue to work with all customers in genuine difficulty.

The CER has announced its decision that the cost of disconnections for electricity and gas be shared equally between the supplier and the customer in the case of non-payment of account. This is an interim measure commencing on 22 December and will remain in place for 12 months. I welcome this measure and the CER's recognition that the current economic climate is placing additional pressures on energy consumers and that customers' rights needs to be enhanced. I also welcome the regulator's decision to review disconnections charges levied by networks companies and the revision of the code of practice for disconnections to include additional supplier measures to assist domestic customers in managing their bills and reducing disconnection rates.

The Government is committed to mitigating the cost of energy for all consumers and policy and regulatory actions taken to date are paying dividends. EUROSTAT data on energy prices across the member states up to the end of June 2010 indicate that, in the 12 months to June 2010, Ireland experienced the largest decrease in electricity prices in Europe for medium to large business consumers with falls of between 20 and 35%. This compares to an average 4% fall across the rest of the Europe.

Ireland's domestic energy prices have also improved in relative terms in the period to June 2010, with Ireland's domestic electricity prices equivalent to the EU average and Ireland's gas prices now 5% cheaper than the EU average. While working to keep downward pressure on energy prices, we will continue to address the needs of vulnerable consumers in these difficult economic times.

I am also working closely with the Ministers for Social Protection and the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to deliver a fully cohesive Government response to the challenges of addressing energy affordability in Ireland. I expect the affordable energy strategy to be submitted to me shortly with a view to bringing it to Government in the coming weeks.

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