Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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98. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will provide an update on the review of the Security of Energy Supply of Ireland's Electricity and Natural Gas Systems; when will this report be published; what policy statement will be prioritised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19778/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Policy Statement on the Importation of Fracked Gas sets out that pending the outcome of the review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems, it would not be appropriate for Ireland to permit or proceed with the development of any LNG terminals. The review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and gas systems is focused on the period to 2030, but in the context of ensuring a sustainable transition up to 2050. A range of measures to mitigate the risks identified as part of the review were examined in the technical analysis accompanying the Department's consultation document published in September 2022. My Department received over 450 submissions from a broad range of individuals and organisations in response to the consultation. The consultation responses were reviewed and analysed, and they have provided important insights on a number of aspects such as risks, mitigation options and policy measures. I will bring recommendations arising from the review to Government in Q2 for their consideration.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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99. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he intends introducing legislation equalising the standing charge for domestic electricity between urban and rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19773/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) was assigned consumer protection functions under the 1999 Electricity Regulation Act and subsequent legislation and 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 the Deputy, is solely a matter for the CRU. 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. Within a competitive environment, providers also have costs such as staffing, Tax, infrastructure, and cost of Network Tariffs which in turn affects end users’ bills. 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.