Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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224. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the engagement he has had with electricity and gas companies in relation to proposed increase in prices; if he has argued that standing charges should not increase in line with these increases as they are not linked; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19227/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Officials from my Department have met with electricity and gas suppliers, at the request of those suppliers, to discuss a number of topics relevant to the retail electricity and gas markets including pricing, consumer impact and the services offered by suppliers. However, responsibility for the regulation of the electricity sector is a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), which is an independent regulator. The CRU was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity sector following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 and subsequent legislation. The CRU is an independent statutory body and solely accountable to a committee of the Oireachtas for the performance of its functions. As Minister, I therefore have no function in this matter.

In line with long standing policy on deregulating price setting, CRU ended its regulation of retail prices in the electricity market in 2011, and in the gas market in 2014. Given that prices are no longer regulated, they are set by all suppliers as entirely commercial and operational matters by them. Each such company has its own different approach to pricing decisions over time, in accordance with factors such as their overall company strategic direction and developments in their cost base.

Additionally, the Deputy may wish to note that CRU provide a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, which enables them to raise day to day questions on regulatory matters directly to CRU at oireachtas@cru.ie for timely direct reply.