Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 376: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the cost to the taxpayer of the Deloitte & Touche report on energy; the persons to whom it has been referred or presented if other bodies or agents other than him or his Department are involved; if he has received comments from such bodies or groups; when he intends to inform the taxpayer regarding the contents of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10607/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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Following a competitive tendering process Deloitte & Touche was engaged in June 2005 to undertake a comprehensive review of Ireland's electricity sector. The final report was submitted by the consultants in December. The total cost of the report was €1,214,033, including VAT.

As part of their terms of reference, the consultants undertook a comprehensive consultation process with industry stakeholders, including the ESB, to underpin the review and all comments and submissions made have been channelled through this process. Because of the commission's statutory responsibility for the regulation of the electricity sector, I have supplied the three commissioners on a strictly confidential basis with copies of the draft and final reports. The Department of Finance has also been given a copy of those reports on the same confidential basis.

I am considering the report in the context of the energy policy consultation paper, which is being drawn up by my Department. I intend to publish the report in that context in the coming months.