Directive 96/92/EEC aims to introduce competition in the market for electricity. It forms part of the European Commission's programme for the completion of the internal market in Europe. As a first step towards implementing the Directive in Ireland, the Minister for Public Enterprise, Mary O'Rourke has published legislative proposals for the implementation of the Electricity Directive in Ireland.

One of the more significant elements in the legislative proposal is the establishment of an Electricity Regulatory Authority, to be headed by a Director General. It is proposed that the Authority will be responsible for the regulation of the electricity sector in Ireland.

The regulatory authority will be assisted in its work by an advisory committee, whose members will include representatives from the industry. The principal function of the authority will be to promote competition in the market, to regulate and licence the industry, and the authority will also have the power to receive and act upon complaints.

This proposed appointment follows the recent trend of sectoral regulation, the most notable of which was the appointment in July 1997 of the Director of Telecommunications Regulation. It will be interesting to see how the electricity regulator will operate alongside the pre-existing Competition Authority.

This article was intended to provide general guidelines. Specialist advice should be sought about specific facts.