Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

Responsibility for the regulation of gas prices is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER, which is an independent statutory body. Bord Gáis Energy's gas tariffs for domestic customers continue to be regulated by the CER and are reviewed each year. I have no function in the matter. The regulator is undertaking its annual detailed review of the Bord Gáis Energy, BGE, tariff. This involves detailed assessment by the regulator of BGE's own recent proposals on gas prices, followed by a consultation process, which will begin at the end of July. The level of increase in the tariff will not become clear until BGE's detailed submission is fully analysed. I am advised that a decision by the regulator is likely to follow at the end of August on whether any increase should be applied to the BGE tariff from 1 October next. In making its decision the regulator takes account of the need to protect consumers from unnecessary price increases by ensuring only reasonable legitimate costs are recovered by BGE. These would include the price of gas in the global market, currency fluctuations and financing cost-efficient network investment for safety and reasons of security of supply.

There are a number of ways for consumers to take actions on rising gas prices, and measures are in place to assist them. They can shop around to get the best possible price and service deal from suppliers, bearing in mind that other suppliers can and do offer competitive prices and products to those charged by BGE. They can also take steps to improve the efficiency of their gas usage, which delivers demonstrable savings.

The regulator is working with gas suppliers to ensure vulnerable customers are protected through, inter alia, the installation of pay-as-you-go meters. The long-term policy responses for Ireland to combat vulnerability to high and volatile gas prices continue to be increasing the use of renewables, better energy efficiencies and reducing the reliance on gas in the fuel mix. Implementation of the measures set out in the Government's energy affordability strategy is also key to protecting the interests of vulnerable customers.

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