Two firms have come forward with plans to enter the Irish gas market which is due to open up between 2004 and 2005.

Innogy, the British energy company, and an Irish firm called Vayu have indicated to the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) they are interested in entering the market.

Innogy is an integrated energy company. It supplies gas, electricity and other services, such as insurance and telecommunications. Innogy was a public company until May 2002 when it was taken over by RWE, the German utility.

Vayu is believed to involve several Irish investors, but their identities have not been disclosed.

Both companies have submitted papers to the regulator in recent weeks expressing some concern about the way the market might be opened.

Vayu explains in its document that the market needs to be opened as fully as possible and sooner rather than later.

The company also emphasises that all barriers preventing customers from changing supplier should be removed before the market is opened up.

Innogy suggests the current definition of household and non-household customers is "not appropriate going forward". It points out that household and non-household customers have different responsibilities, rights and obligations.