Pa Daly
Ceist:156. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the energy market reforms he is considering to reduce the cost of energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56282/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 16 October 2025
Ceisteanna (156)
Freagraí scríofa
The Government has made a number of important commitments to address the continued high cost of energy, while accelerating the decarbonisation of Ireland's energy system. The Programme for Government acknowledges the pressures on households and businesses caused by high energy costs.
In June 2025, my Department formed a National Energy Affordability Taskforce to identify, assess and implement measures that will enhance energy affordability for households and businesses, operating within the broader policy context set by the Programme for Government and Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021. A key output of this Taskforce will be to develop and publish an Energy Affordability Action Plan.
The Taskforce and associated action plan provide an opportunity to consider the broad range of factors which influence energy costs, and potential supports to those most vulnerable to high energy costs. Without pre-empting the Taskforce’s programme of work, the action plan will include targeted measures to support households in energy poverty to meet the cost of energy, as well as structural reforms within the energy sector to lower costs for households and businesses.
Additionally, the New Electricity Market Design Directive (EU 2024/1711), published in the Official Journal of the European Union in June 2024, puts the consumer at the centre of the clean energy transition, enabling active consumer participation, and a strong framework for consumer protection.
The Directive includes measures intended to ensure that active consumers are empowered to lower the cost on their electricity bill through activities such as energy sharing, that all customers are free to have more than one electricity supply contract or energy sharing agreement at the same time, and that consumers shall have the right to fixed-term, fixed-price supply contracts and dynamic electricity price contracts, amongst other provisions. The Directive also includes strong oversight measures for national regulatory authorities to oversee suppliers and ensure they are hedging responsibly. The Directive is currently being transposed into national legislation by officials in my Department.