Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 58: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his Department has been in contact with the EU Commission with regard to the Commission's statement that it may examine the electricity and gas markets throughout the EU to evaluate the levels of competition; if he will make a statement on the process of hiring consultants and the timetable for his own Department's review of the ESB and the electricity market here; and when he expects the report from CER on the profitability and return on capital of the ESB. [8197/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I presume the Deputy is referring to the recently published European Commission's plans for 2005 in terms of European energy priorities.

A key priority identified by the Commission is the achievement of a properly functioning internal market for gas and electricity for the benefit of all citizens. In that connection the Commission has stated its intention to undertake a further in-depth review of progress in creating the internal electricity and gas market. On the basis of that market analysis, the Commission will assess the need for additional measures, having further stated that a more competitive market needs to be developed.

Ireland supports the approach being adopted by the Commission. We will participate fully in any discussions at EU level on a refocused energy policy both to protect our national interests and to ensure market competitiveness is maximised. As I have already today outlined in my answer to another question on this issue, the request for tenders for the review was issued on the Government's e-tenders website and in the Official Journal of the European Union on 22 February 2005. The call for tenders is based on the "open procedure", which means that it is open to any interested party within or outside Ireland to submit a tender. The deadline for submission of tenders by interested parties is set at 12 noon on 4 April 2005.

The selection process will be undertaken by a steering committee established by my Department and is expected to take between four to six weeks to conclude. The process will, in all likelihood, involve short listing and interviews with short listed candidates. The award will be on the basis of the most economically advantageous tender, MEAT, and in accordance with six specific criteria identified in the tender document. Following the notification of unsuccessful bidders, a period of two weeks has to be allowed before a contract can be signed. This means that the contract award should take place around the end of May.

Turning to the final part of the question, studies by the CER in support of its own decision making are matters for the CER, in which I have no function. I do not expect a report from the commission in the matter.