More consumers in Ireland are switching gas and electricity than in any other EU country.

A new report by the Commission for Energy Regulation shows that almost 80,000 customers have switched electricity supplier and 25,000 customers have switched gas supplier since last year.

It has said while customer switching continues to be a key indicator of competition, an increasing number of customers are negotiating better terms and prices with their existing suppliers.

In an open market in which the CER no longer regulates prices, it says increased competition drove down prices.

In this environment, suppliers began to announce better offers for existing and new customers.