Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2026
244. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether there is a statutory obligation for energy companies to publish their standard rates, with and without VAT, for electricity and gas; and if not, if he will consider changing this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45014/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 is solely a matter for the CRU. In line with long standing policy on deregulating price setting, the 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 affect end users’ bills.
The CRU Electricity and Gas Supplier Handbook sets out the Code of Practice on Marketing and Advertising and the requirements placed on suppliers. In particular, suppliers must display tariff information inclusive and exclusive of VAT and on a per unit basis.
The Deputy may wish to note that the CRU provide a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members which enables them to raise day to day questions on regulatory matters directly to the CRU at oireachtas@cru.ie for timely direct reply.
