Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 321: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding ESB prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37303/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I do not have a statutory function in the setting of energy prices, whether in the regulated or unregulated 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 retail electricity market are now fully deregulated since 4 April 2011.

Prices in the electricity market are wholly a commercial and operational matter for the suppliers. Ireland's electricity and gas markets, both wholesale and retail, are characterised by vigorous competition regulated by the CER. ESB Electric Ireland offer a number of different price plan options to existing and potential customers, however, none of these plans offer different unit rates based on urban or rural locations and I am not aware that rates offered by other suppliers differentiate on such a basis either.