Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 407: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has sought or received information from or given instructions to the regulator with a view to ascertaining the reason for escalating electricity and gas prices against a backdrop of falling energy prices on the world markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37573/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The position in law is that the regulation of ESB electricity tariffs and BGÉ gas tariffs is the responsibility of the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which is statutorily independent in the performance of its functions. I have no responsibility for setting these tariffs. The CER has a statutory duty to advise me as Minister on the development of the electricity and gas markets. I am advised that phase two of the Commission's review of ESB and Bord Gáis Energy Supply tariffs is underway and that submissions made to the CER by ESB and BGE will be published next week on the CER website.

On this occasion the CER has decided as part of the public consultation process to facilitate a public forum to be held on 10 November at which representatives of the ESB and BGE will be in attendance. I welcome this public forum announced by CER and the opportunity it will provide for consumers and other interested groups to directly interact with the ESB and BGE on their submissions.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 408: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the basis on which gas and electricity prices are justified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37574/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The regulation of ESB electricity tariffs and BGÉ gas tariffs is the statutory responsibility of the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) under the Electricity Regulation Act and the Gas (Interim) Regulation Act 2002. I have no function in setting or regulating energy prices.