Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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25. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has engaged with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities on steps being taken to deter electricity and gas theft across Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55193/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Issues regarding the theft of electricity and interference with electricity meters are first and foremost an issue for ESB Networks, who are both the Distribution System Operator and Distribution Asset Owner.Matters relating to theft of gas are an operational issue for Gas Networks Ireland and for the Board and management of that company, which is a commercial State body under the aegis of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications has no statutory function in such matters.

However, in this subject matter there may be an element of overlap between the ESB Networks/ Gas Networks Ireland and the work of the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). The CRU has responsibility for safety matters and it would appear that the theft of electricity/ gas and / or tampering with an electricity/ gas meters are issues which may raise serious safety concerns. As the Deputy will be aware the CRU is accountable to the Oireachtas and not to the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications.

In this instance, I have forwarded the queries raised in the question to ESBN and the CRU for their attention and direct reply to the Deputy.