The Enterprise Minister has been accused of not responding quickly enough to ensure the reduction in wholesale gas prices is passed on to consumers.

In a written Assembly Question, Arlene Foster confirmed that the Utility Regulator was working to review gas tariffs with Firmus and Airtricity, with any price reductions to take effect from the 1st April.

Alliance East Antrim MLA Stewart Dickson MLA said: "Gas prices in the rest of the UK were cut at the end of January which means customers will see the benefits of cheaper energy during the coldest period of the year. It is therefore disappointing that the Enterprise Minister has confirmed that Northern Ireland customers will only see a drop in their gas bills from April, when gas usage is generally much lower, this only reinforces the oft-said phrase: 'Energy prices rise like a rocket and fall like a feather'.

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"The Enterprise Minister and the Utility Regulator should be doing more to ensure that companies reduce their prices in the winter, when customers' pockets would see the greatest benefit.

"It is scandalous that Northern Ireland is acting so slowly to bring down prices when customers in the rest of the UK are already benefiting from lower bills."

(CD/MH)