John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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637. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide a breakdown of income generated by Electric Ireland from residential electricity charges in the 12 months up to 1 October 2012 and in the subsequent 12-month period to 1 October 2013. [47138/13]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Responsibility for the regulation of the electricity and gas markets is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), the independent National Regulatory Authority for energy. The CER was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity sector following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 and subsequent legislation. The CER's responsibilities include the liberalisation of the electricity retail (supply) market in order to encourage the entry of competition and new investment. Market rules have been established for the retail electricity and gas markets. It is a function of the CER to regulate the electricity and gas markets, to monitor competition and to monitor compliance by industry with legislation.

This is a matter in which I, as Minister, have no statutory role or function.

John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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638. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will explain the differentiation in lower urban and higher rural standing and usage charges applied by Electric Ireland to its customers; and if this price gap will be reduced in favour of rural consumers if and when the existing transmission infrastructure is upgraded. [47139/13]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I have no function in this matter. Responsibility for the regulation of the electricity market is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) which is an independent regulator. The CER was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity sector following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 and subsequent legislation. Since April 2011 prices in the electricity market have been deregulated and business and domestic customers can as a result avail of competitive offerings from a number of supply companies. It is a function of the CER to regulate the electricity market. Questions regarding the pricing practices of electricity supply companies should be directed towards the relevant companies or addressed to the CER.

I have no statutory function in the matter of the regulation of electricity prices.