Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 430: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason new entrants to the electricity market are not regulated by the Commission for Energy Regulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22176/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I have no statutory function in the setting of electricity and gas prices, whether in the regulated or non-regulated market. Responsibility for the regulation of the electricity and gas markets is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which is an independent statutory body. Prices in the electricity retail market are now fully deregulated. Price setting by electricity suppliers, including Bord Gáis, is a commercial and operational matter for the companies concerned and I have no function in the matter.

The CER was established in 1999, to regulate the electricity market. All generators, transmission operators and suppliers wishing to participate in the Irish electricity market are required to apply to CER for a licence to operate. Once an operator has received a licence, it is allowed to commence operations in the Irish market, subject to strict adherence to the licence terms and conditions which are established and monitored by CER.

ESB prices for domestic electricity customers were regulated until 4th April 2011. The welcome emergence of new entrants in the electricity supply market (business and/or domestic) started in emerge in recent years and their prices were effectively unregulated in comparison with ESB tariffs. The Irish electricity supply market is now fully open to competition for business and latterly the domestic sector. While the CER no longer regulates tariffs in the electricity market, it continues to have a role in monitoring market developments and ensuring that all suppliers comply with requirements designed to protect the interests of customers.