Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

189. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to a scandal (details supplied) in the UK and the recent measures put in place by UK energy regulator Ofgem to protect consumers from unfair business practices in the pre-paid energy sector; and if his attention has been drawn to similar unfair business practices in operation here and the potential need to protect consumers. [24016/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Responsibility for the regulation of the electricity and gas markets is solely a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), which was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity and gas markets following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act (ERA), 1999, and subsequent legislation. The CRU is an independent statutory Regulator.

Market monitoring and consumer protection are specific functions assigned to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities under the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 and, accordingly, I have no statutory role in these matters. These CRU's functions include:

- Monitoring and evaluating electricity and gas retail markets;

- Preparing and monitoring various Codes of Practice including on; Marketing and Advertising, Customer Sign Up, Billing, Pay as You Go metering and Budget Controllers, Switching, Disconnections, and Complaint Handling;

- Preparing various reports including the Annual Consumer Survey, the Annual Market Monitoring Report, and Audit of Suppliers Report and Annual Report;

- Providing customer care and dispute resolution functions; and,

- Electricity and Gas Safety.

The ERA further states that the CRU shall account for the performance of its functions to a Joint Committee of the Oireachtas and not to me as Minister. Given the CRU accountability in the legislation, the Deputy may wish to note that CRU provide a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, which enables them raise questions directly to CRU at oireachtas@cru.ie for timely direct reply.