Written answer
Energy Prices
The Minister confirmed meetings with major suppliers, stressed affordability, and said a taskforce is developing an action plan amid commercially set energy prices.
132. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he has met with Bord Gáis or SSE Airtricity to discuss their latest price hikes; if so, when he met them; if not, if there are plans to meet in the future; the dates which these meetings took place or will take place; and to provide a detailed breakdown of the dates on which he met each energy supplier since his time in office began, in tabular form. [65739/26]
Comment on this
The electricity and gas retail markets in Ireland operate within an EU regulatory regime wherein these markets are commercial and liberalised. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) ended its regulation of retail prices in the electricity market in 2011. Price setting by electricity suppliers is, therefore, a commercial matter for the companies concerned.
Retail prices are influenced by several factors, including wholesale energy prices, network costs, system operating costs and supplier hedging. The latest data from Eurostat shows that, in nominal terms, Ireland ranked highest for electricity prices among European countries in the second half of 2025. When adjusting for purchasing power parity, Ireland is fifth in terms of electricity prices among European countries.
As Minister, I meet with a range of stakeholders on important topics including energy prices. In this regard, I can confirm that I have met with both the CRU, which is assigned consumer protection functions under the 1999 Electricity Regulation Act, and energy supply companies since being appointed as Minister.
On 26 September 2025, I met with the four largest energy suppliers in Ireland: Electric Ireland, Bord Gáis, SSE Airtricity, and Energia. I also met with representatives from SSE on 14 January, 2026. In addition to these meetings, my officials meet with suppliers on a regular basis. A key message to suppliers during these engagements is the critical importance of energy affordability.
In June 2025, my Department established a National Energy Affordability Taskforce (NEAT) 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. The First Report of the Taskforce which informed measures in Budget 2026 is available on gov.ie.
The NEAT continues to work intensively on an Energy Affordability Action Plan to be submitted to Government in the coming weeks. Publication of the Action Plan will follow approval by Government. This Action Plan will be focused on short, medium and longer term measures to support households and businesses in meeting their energy costs.