Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 121: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will confirm the adequacy of legislation in the area of deregulation to ensure continuity and security of supply in the energy sector with particular reference to the integrity of the Eirgrid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33557/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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Security of supply in relation to electricity is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation in accordance with the provisions of Article 28 of the European Communities (Internal Market in Electricity) Regulations 2005 (S.I. No. 60 of 2005).

These Regulations give further legal effect to Directive No. 2003/54/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2003, concerning common rules for the internal market in electricity and repealing Directive 96/92/EC, not already implemented by the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 and the European Communities (Internal market in Electricity) Regulations 2000. The Regulations provide, inter alia, for the strengthening of independent regulation and the enhancing of security of supply provisions.

Specifically, Article 28 provides that it shall be the duty of the Commission to monitor the security of supply of electricity and that the Commission shall take such measures as it considers necessary to protect security of supply. In the performance of its monitoring and corrective functions, the Commission is advised by the independent Transmission System Operator, whose functions and independence are provided for under Part 3 of these Regulations.

EirGrid plc formally assumed the role of independent electricity Transmission System Operator (TSO) in Ireland and the Market Operator in the wholesale electricity trading system from 1 July 2006.

EirGrid's statutory role is to deliver quality connection, transmission and market services to generators, suppliers and customers utilising the high voltage electricity system, and to put in place the grid infrastructure required to support the development of Ireland's economy. In fulfilling this role, EirGrid is required to develop, maintain and operate a safe, secure, reliable, economical and efficient transmission system.

The Commission for Energy Regulation advises me that it is of the view that there are sufficient legislative measures in place to ensure the continuity and security of supply in the generation sector.