Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 64: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his legislative plans to prevent a reoccurrence of the situation whereby gas prices here are increased substantially whereby at the same time the product was available free on the international markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33578/06]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 103: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the plans he has to deliver the benefits of EU competition and regulatory legislation in respect of gas and electricity to the consumer; if he will introduce or amend legislation to discourage the situation whereby energy prices through competition appear to be forced upwards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33570/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 64 and 103 together.

Gas and oil are internationally traded commodities and Ireland is essentially a price taker. Any price volatility in these circumstances has a resultant impact on our energy costs. Nonetheless, the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) is required under the Electricity Regulation Act 1999, the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act 2002 and the European Communities (Internal Market in Natural Gas) Regulations 2005 (S.I. No. 320 of 2005) to exercise its functions in a manner that protects the interests of final customers of electricity and natural gas and also to promote competition in the supply of electricity and natural gas. These obligations would also support the principle of cost reflexivity in the setting of supply tariffs.

The Green Paper, Towards a Sustainable Energy Future for Ireland, recently published by my Department has opened up the debate on the shape of policy directions for the future. In particular it poses questions as to what actions should be taken domestically to reduce the cost of electricity and gas to consumers and to reduce fuel poverty? I am looking forward to an imaginative debate on these issues, which will no doubt inform policy in this regard going forward.