172. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether the CRU monitors supplier margins; if it has the powers it needs to make sure prices come down when wholesale costs do. [74962/26]

The role and remit of the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), underpinned by the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 (the ERA) as amended, is to ensure an open market with effective competition within both wholesale and retail markets. The CRU is also required to monitor the evolution of grid tariffs and levies, including examining their underlying charges and costs. The CRU is permitted to intervene or take corrective action should market failings be identified. The Electricity Market Design Directive (EU 2024/1711), is currently being transposed into national legislation by my officials and includes strong oversight measures for national regulatory authorities to oversee suppliers and ensure they are hedging responsibly.

Additionally, the CRU published an Interim Report on Competition Assessment and Retail Price Drivers in the Energy Market on 12 May 2026 to provide input into the work of the National Energy Affordability Taskforce (NEAT). Within the report, it is noted that initial assessment of supplier profit margins does not suggest excess profitability or that suppliers have been able to sustain materially elevated returns.

Section 9(1)(da)(x) of the ERA outlines the CRU's responsibility for monitoring the relationship between retail and wholesale prices. The Interim Report shows that retail prices track with movements in wholesale market prices. However, it also highlights a delay in the pass-through of wholesale cost changes to retail prices. This lag reflects the impact of supplier hedging practices which allow for greater stability in retail prices.

Margins will be examined further in the full review of competition, including across customer segments and over time, to support a more granular assessment.