Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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210. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government to report on any meetings he had with energy suppliers since he took office; the dates on which those meetings took places; to outline the discussions that took places; if he anticipates energy prices will decline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55350/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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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 CRU is an independent regulator, accountable to a Committee of the Oireachtas and not to me as Minister.

As Minister, I meet with a range of stakeholders on important topics including energy prices, and I can confirm that I have met with both the CRU and energy suppliers since being appointed as Minister. On 26 September 2025, I met with the four biggest energy suppliers in Ireland. In addition to my interactions, my officials meet with suppliers on a regular basis and a key message to them is the critical importance of prices being reduced as soon as possible.

Under the Programme for Government 2025, we have committed to commissioning an independent review into the speed and level of pass through from wholesale prices to retail prices, with an additional assessment of the overall price dynamics and an overall focus on the competitiveness of the Irish economy. This is a priority and I have established a cross-Government National Energy Affordability Taskforce (NEAT) to identify, assess and implement measures that will enhance energy affordability for households and businesses, while delivering key renewable commitments and protecting security of supply and economic stability.