Irish consumers will have to pay a 25 per cent increase in gas charges from today.
The energy regulator announced increases in gas and electricity prices last month. The electricity price rise takes effect from next January while the gas price increase will be implemented from today.
The Commission for Energy Regulation's announcement was widely criticised by business groups and opposition parties.
The Office of Public Works (OPW), which purchases electricity and gas on behalf of several departments and State agencies, sent a letter to the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) complaining about the rise in gas transportation charges.
These charges make up about one-third of the unit price of gas overall.
Business groups and opposition TDs strongly criticised the decision to increase gas prices to domestic customers by just over 25 per cent. However, this is the first time any Government agency or department has raised public concerns over the pricing of gas.
The Small Firms Association (SFA) said that the latest increases would hit the competitiveness of the economy.