Northern Ireland Energy Minister Arlene Foster has welcomed a report, by Douglas McIldoon, into the process which led to the recent electricity price increase.

The report follows Mr McIldoon’s independent review of the price setting process, which was commissioned by the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation on 10 September 2008, following the announcement by NIE of a 33.3% increase in electricity tariffs.

Ms Foster said: "I am pleased that Mr McIldoon found no anomalies or short comings within the process by which the price increase was managed, and I am satisfied with his conclusion that the process followed was sufficiently robust and no less rigorous than in previous years."

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The Minister continued: "I also welcome the report’s affirmation of the separate but complementary roles of the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation and the Consumer Council. Both organisations are fully committed to working for the benefit of consumers across Northern Ireland."

In addition to his findings regarding the recent tariff setting process, Mr McIldoon’s report also looked at a number of wider issues regarding the structure and development of the electricity supply industry within Northern Ireland.

Ms Foster added: "Mr McIldoon’s comments on the structure and development of the electricity supply industry are very timely. My department can now consider these as part of the ongoing development and consultation regarding a revised Strategic Energy Framework for Northern Ireland."

(PR)