Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his reply. We have seen reports in recent weeks about the increase in the number of households whose gas or electricity supplies were cut off during 2012, and that figure is still increasing. Is the Minister satisfied with the role the regulator is performing and the duties it is carrying out?

Commodity oil and gas prices reduced by about 11% in the wholesale market in May, but that reduction was not passed on immediately. It is the old argument. If the price of oil goes up, the price increase is immediately passed on at the pumps or in the cost of home heating oil, but if it goes down, they tell us they have oil in storage and that it will take them a number of months to get to the cheaper oil. Is the Minister satisfied that the regulator is doing everything in its power to ensure the price of energy for homes or businesses is at the lowest possible level?

See this speech in context