Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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203. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the purchaser of Bord Gáis which recently put up UK gas prices by 9%; if he has any concerns that there will be increased prices for consumers here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54955/13]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The members of the consortium which has recently been selected as the preferred bidder in the transaction process on the sale of Bord Gáís Energy, comprising Brookfield, Centrica and iCon, are international strategic investors that will bring significant industry experience and financial strength to support continued investment in the Bord Gáis Energy business and in the all-island energy market. With regard to the recent increase in UK gas prices, rises in customer prices in both the UK and Ireland have been primarily driven by rises in underlying gas prices rather than any company specific matter. I have no statutory function in the setting of gas prices, whether in the regulated or non-regulated parts of the market. Responsibility for the regulation of the gas market is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which is an independent statutory body. The position is that the CER regulates the Bord Gáis Energy tariff for its domestic customers. Prices in all other segments of the gas market are deregulated.

The CER continues to keep deregulation of the domestic consumer segment of the gas market under review. In its most recent review of the market the CER has concluded that the criteria for deregulation had not all been met to allow for the immediate deregulation of the domestic gas market. Until all deregulation criteria have been met the CER will continue to regulate the Bord Gais Energy retail tariff.