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Dáil
‹ Questions on Promised Legislation

Single electricity market

Summary

Deputy Ryan warned that Northern Ireland may leave harmonised retail market arrangements and asked about the impact on the all-island electricity market. Minister Naughten said he was not aware of the report but reaffirmed the Government's policy of a single electricity market on the island.

Given the emphasis, rightly, on avoiding any regulatory alignment changes between the North of Ireland and the South, is the Government aware that the Utility Regulator in Northern Ireland has just issued a consultation paper making a decision that Northern Ireland should cease to participate in the harmonised retail market systems arrangement? We had introduced a harmonised electricity retail market. That will now be broken with two different markets developed. I understand that is because ESB Networks is seeking a freeze on any innovation on use in the retail market while smart meters are introduced here. However, the unintended consequence is that we are moving to a two-market situation with a move to regulatory non-alignment. What does the Government intend to do? Is it aware of the issue? Is it considering taking any measures to try to protect regulatory alignment?

Comment on this
Denis Naughten Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Independent

I am not aware of the publication of that report, but we will be taking note of it. As the Deputy knows, it is a policy objective of the Government to have a single electricity market on the island. That has been reiterated by both Governments after the result of 23 June 2016.

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