Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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120. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he has plans to legislate and assign more functions on the CRU to introduce energy market reforms to reduce the price of energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30277/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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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 independent regulator, Commission for Regulation of Utilities (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.

The CRU is an independent statutory regulator and is accountable for the performance of its functions to the a Committee of the Oireachtas. The CRU provides a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, which enables them raise questions on energy regulatory matters, such as the matter raised in this question, to CRU (oireachtas@cru.ie) for timely direct reply.

The Government is committed to addressing high energy costs experienced by Irish consumers. The Programme for Government acknowledges the increased energy cost pressures on households and businesses and commits to bringing forward measures to help contain these costs. Government recently approved an extension of the 9% VAT rate currently applied to gas and electricity by a further six months to October 2025 at an estimated cost of €85 million.

A cross-Government Energy Affordability Taskforce has been established to identify, assess and implement policy options to improve energy affordability while delivering key renewable commitments and protecting security of supply and economic stability. The Taskforce's work programme will include the preparation and publication of an Energy Affordability Action Plan and monitoring its implementation on an ongoing basis.

The Programme for Government also makes a commitment to "prioritise a review and reform of the legislation underpinning the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU)". Since early 2024, my Department has been working closely with the CRU to undertake a review of its leadership structures, resourcing requirements, functions, and accountability mechanisms, as committed to under Actions 21 and 26 of the Energy Security Package.