Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 July 2023
56. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views regarding the constant electricity power cuts facing north County Dublin, including Donabate, Portrane, Swords, Rush and Lusk; his Department’s policy as to how this should be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32995/23]
View answerResponsibility for the regulation of the electricity market is a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) which is an independent regulator, accountable to a committee of the Oireachtas and not the Minister. The CRU was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity sector following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 and subsequent legislation.
The CRU is responsible for, inter alia, the regulation of the electricity system operators ESB Networks, Distribution, and Eirgrid, Transmission. Building, safely operating and maintaining the electricity system are functions which are assigned to the respective Distribution and Transmission system operators and for which they are accountable to the CRU.
Power outages for most customers will occur at the distribution network level and as such come within the remit of ESB Networks. ESB Networks are independent of the Minister in the exercise of their functions as network operators. The CRU and ESB Networks have respective contact email address for Deputies, of which they are aware, should they wish to raise matters of concern such as that raised in the question.
