Disputes and Complaints
Disputes with respect to connection to the distribution system, as defined by the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999, will be determined by the Commission, provided that:
- The Dispute is with respect t o connection and/or use of the distribution system network
- The party seeking connection, demonstrates that there is material matter in dispute and that reasonable efforts have been made to resolve the matter prior to bringing it to the Commission
- The party request the Commission to resolve the dispute
To facilitate the efficient processing of any such disputes the CER have put in place an email address:
section34disputes@cer.ie
All applications to lodge a dispute and subsequent correspondence in relation to that dispute must be sent to that email address.
Alternatively applicants can forward correspondence to:
Section 34 Disputes
Commission for Energy Regulation
The Exchange
Belgard Square North
Tallaght Dublin 24
Upon receiving a dispute, the CER will follow the following steps:
- The party raising the dispute will be invited to make written submissions to the CER setting out their arguments on the matters in dispute;
- The party against whom the dispute is being raised ("the Respondent") will be provided with the disputing party’s submission and will be afforded an opportunity to comment and make counter arguments;
- All parties to the dispute will be provided with the submissions of the other party throughout the dispute and will have an opportunity to add further comments;
- The CER will take advice from its own independent consultants where appropriate, for example on technical matters;
- If the CER considers it necessary and/or if any of the parties request it, the CER will meet with either or both of the parties to the dispute;
- The CER will respect the right to commercial confidentiality of both parties or of third parties who maybe indirectly involved in a dispute, providing such rights are invoked reasonably and subject to the CER’s statutory duties;
- The CER will circulate a draft determination of the dispute to the parties for comment before making a final determination and the parties will be afforded the opportunity to makes submissions on the draft determination;
- The CER will consider any submissions made before issuing the final determination.
The CER aims to resolve disputes within a two month period in line with Statutory Instrument no 60 of 2005. In order to meet this deadline, the CER will ask for the co-operation of all parties to the dispute in proving timely and comprehensive information and in responding promptly to requests for information.
Complaints
Under Statutory Instrument 60 of 2005, the CER has responsibility to deal with unresolved complaints between customers and suppliers/network operators. Having completed the complaints process with the supplier/network operator, complaints may be referred to the Commission. For details of the Commission's complaint handling process, please see the customer complaints section of our website to visit www.energycustomers.ie.