Energy Act 2016

Energy strategy statement

19. Schedule 1 (amended by section 44 of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 ) to the Act of 1999 is amended by inserting the following paragraph after paragraph 25:

“25A. (1) The Commission shall—

(a) not later than 6 months after the coming into operation of section 19 of the Energy Act 2016, prepare and submit to the Minister an energy strategy statement in respect of the period of 3 years immediately following the year in which the energy strategy statement is so submitted, and

(b) not later than 3 months before each third anniversary of the submission to the Minister in accordance with this subparagraph of the energy strategy statement for the time being in effect, prepare and submit to the Minister an energy strategy statement in respect of the period of 3 years immediately following the year in which it is so submitted.

(2) The Minister shall, as soon as is practicable after an energy strategy statement has been submitted to him or her under subparagraph (1), cause a copy thereof to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.

(3) The Commission shall, as soon as is practicable after copies of an energy strategy statement are laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas in accordance with subparagraph (2), arrange for the energy strategy statement to be published on the internet.

(4) In this section ‘energy strategy statement’ means a statement that—

(a) specifies the key objectives, outputs and related strategies, including use of resources, of the Commission in relation to the performance of its energy and safety functions and those functions not covered by section 41 of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 ,

(b) except for the first energy strategy statement, includes a review of the outcomes and effectiveness of the previous energy strategy statement, and

(c) is prepared in a form and manner that is in accordance with any directions issued from time to time by the Minister.

(5) When preparing an energy strategy statement the Commission may consult such persons or bodies of persons that it considers appropriate.”.