Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent)
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3. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason standing charges on gas and electricity have increased exponentially given these type of charges are within Ireland's own competency, rather than influenced by outside factors; and if he will direct policy to ensure standing charges are reduced substantially, or waived, given the huge increases in energy prices. [55678/22]

Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent)
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4. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason the standing charge for night-rate electricity usage is much more expensive than the day rate, especially given the public is constantly encouraged to use off-peak electricity. [55679/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 and 4 together.

The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), as the independent regulator was assigned consumer protection functions under the 1999 Electricity Regulation Act and subsequent legislation, has statutory responsibility for the compliance by energy suppliers with their consumer protection obligations.

The electricity and gas retail markets in Ireland operate within a European Union regulatory regime wherein electricity and gas markets are commercial and liberalised. Operating within this overall EU framework, responsibility for the regulation of the electricity and gas markets, including the matters raised by your question, is solely a matter for the 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.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.Price setting by electricity suppliers, including standing charges is a commercial and operational matter for the companies concerned.

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.

CRU provides a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, which enables them to raise questions on general energy regulatory matters to CRU at oireachtas@cru.ie for timely direct reply.