Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Given the emphasis, rightly, on avoiding any regulatory alignment changes between the North of Ireland and the South, is the Government aware that the Utility Regulator in Northern Ireland has just issued a consultation paper making a decision that Northern Ireland should cease to participate in the harmonised retail market systems arrangement? We had introduced a harmonised electricity retail market. That will now be broken with two different markets developed. I understand that is because ESB Networks is seeking a freeze on any innovation on use in the retail market while smart meters are introduced here. However, the unintended consequence is that we are moving to a two-market situation with a move to regulatory non-alignment. What does the Government intend to do? Is it aware of the issue? Is it considering taking any measures to try to protect regulatory alignment?

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