The Government has been severely criticised after it left the door open for a return of water charges in legislation it published yesterday.

Smart meters are to be installed in more than two million homes and businesses as part of a €1.2bn ‘once-in-a-generation’ rollout.

Most Irish consumers are in the dark about early exit penalty fees on essential household contracts, and it could be costing them dearly.

Almost eight in ten (78%) of Irish consumers want to switch provider for at least one household essential this year - but most fail to do so, according to a new survey.

WHERE have all the protesters gone?

Irish Water have ruled out discounts or refunds for hundreds of business customers affected by a major outage in Cork which left 40,000 people without water.

Consumers are increasingly switching gas and electricity supplier and are making “large savings” as a result.

Hundreds of Irish Water staff are in line for large lump sums of money, with the resumption of controversial bonus payments. These are expected to be paid next month, with a 2.2% pay rise.

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It is estimated internationally that 6% of the wells the frackers bore through the rock will leak, writes Victoria White.

The natural gas pipeline which is being brought from Foynes in Co Limerick to Listowel in Co Kerry should be extended to Tralee, a councillor has said.

Kerry is to be linked to the natural gas network as the pipeline is extended from Foynes in Co Limerick to Listowel in a €20m project.

A system that was supposed to help Bord Gáis Energy customers manage their payments has left some facing significant charges, due to an error in how the utility calculates its accounts.

Kya deLongchamps advises us to get proactive and save significant costs with a new 12 month contract on those precious utilities.

Irish Water customers who are owed rebates for using less than their quota of water, or for having undrinkable supplies, can still claim their money back.

Gas installers working in the commercial sector will have to be registered under new safety guidelines with specific rules for catering premises and laundries.

More consumers in Ireland are switching gas and electricity than in any other EU country.

The trend for gas and electricity customers to seek better deals by switching provider has eased, with more now looking to reduce their bills by negotiating with their existing provider.

Solar energy companies will have to wait until next year for vital decisions to be made on how the electricity they produce is distributed and paid for.

Irish consumers top the European table when it comes to switching electricity and gas providers, as energy prices fell last year.

Gas Networks Ireland engaged in a “clear breach of trust” when it covered up the overrun on a pipeline project, the independent energy regulator has said.

The international fund that is completing the €1 billion buyout of Viridian — which owns the Energia and NI Power firms across Ireland — is seeking out more opportunities to acquire energy assets here, in a move that may likely heighten competition in the Republic.

An investigation into “serious financial impropriety” in Gas Networks Ireland north and south of the border has resulted in a fine of £500,000 (€644,122) in the North and sanctions against four employees of the company in the Republic, the Irish Examiner has learned.

An unregistered electrician has become the first person to be jailed in Ireland for carrying out dangerous and illegal electrical work.

Tánaiste Joan Burton says she has an open mind about extending the Ombudsman’s powers to enable him investigate complaints against Irish Water.

The Ombudsman has questioned why the Government declined to allow his office investigate complaints against Irish Water and says the move has left the utility’s customers without any independent grievance mechanism.

The agency that regulates water charges increased its bonus payments last year for staff to almost €300,000.

The head of the State’s electricity network has defended pay and bonuses for staff at the semi-state company, but claims figures quoted by economist Stephen Kinsella are wide of the mark.

A government department and two state bodies promoting investment have clashed with the energy regulator and Irish Water over the level of discounts to be offered to large firms for water which is unfit for human consumption.

Irish Water was explicitly designed to meet the criteria of the market corporation test. The design is a failure, and an embarrassment for the Government, writes Seamus Coffey.

The Dáil has rejected an opposition bill which would have set up a separate ombudsman for Irish Water.

LEAD, just like asbestos, was freely used in buildings some decades ago. Now that it has been identified as a health threat, efforts must be made to remove it, or at the very least reduce the impact it might have.

The newest entrant to the Irish electricity market should drive further competition between utilities and is good news for consumers, according to a price-comparison website.