Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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118. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the rationale for allowing retail energy companies to increase their unit price for domestic energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49656/25]

Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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129. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government to examine the profits of electricity providers (details supplied); the way in which increases in costs for all households can be justified in light of soaring profits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50290/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 118 and 129 together.

The electricity and gas retail markets in Ireland operate within a European Union regulatory regime wherein electricity and gas markets are commercial, liberalised, and competitive. Operating within this overall EU framework, responsibility for the regulation of the retail electricity and gas markets was assigned to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) under the 1999 Electricity Regulation Act and subsequent legislation. CRU ceased price setting for electricity and gas in 2011 and 2014 respectively.

Therefore, the setting of prices and charges is a commercial matter for individual supply companies; 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.

This being said, 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. Earlier this year, Government 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.

Further measures to support Irish consumers will be considered as part of the work programme of the National Energy Affordability Taskforce. The Taskforce's Terms of Reference commits it to identify, assess and implement policy options, as part of an Energy Affordability Action Plan, to enhance energy affordability while delivering key renewable commitments and protecting security of supply and economic stability. The Taskforce is currently finalising an interim report, which will set out measures for consideration as part of Budget 2026.