Energy regulator to be quizzed on rapid price increases

The Commissioner for Energy Regulation will be asked to explain today why fuel increases kick in faster than reductions on our gas and electricity bills.

The CER is appearing before the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications.

The Regulator will also be asked why price drops on world markets are not reflected in a timely fashion in bills to consumers, and how prices are calculated.

"What we'll be saying to the regulator is the fact that there needs to be some reflection on oil and gas prices in the bills that people get," said Committee Chairman John O'Mahony.

"I think only 40% of the price per unit is reflected in the fuel price, and obviously we'll want to see that fully explained."

He also said there was no reduction "for a number of weeks" when there's a reduction in price, "whereas when there's a rise it does go up."