A new Commission for Electricity Regulation, which will oversee competition in the Irish electricity market, has been announced by Minister for Public Enterprise, Ms O'Rourke, writes Rory Kelleher.

The new body will be responsible for the licensing of new entrants into the market, and electricity companies, including the ESB, will have to apply to the commission for authorisation to build new generating stations. It will also oversee the supply of information about access to the transmission and distribution systems and related charges. Ms O'Rourke said she would retain essential policy responsibility for the sector but that the commission would oversee the introduction of competition.