Mr. Dave Kirwan:

In respect of the questions, and over and above what Mr. Wheeler has said, I echo the point on disconnections. It is a position of last resort. Disconnection is a no-win situation. It is loss-making. Through the energy engage code we have increased communication and we validate every single disconnection in our organisation. The committee could help us in this respect. There is no need for any customer in this country to be disconnected. A free issue prepayment metre is offered to every single customer in distress. If customers are happy to take that prepayment metre a disconnection will not happen. It is very important that people know that. We are doing our best to communicate it and any help the committee can give us would be appreciated.

In respect of reconnection fees, the cost of disconnection and reconnection is a matter for the network companies that are regulated. There is certainly no profit here. It is simply passed through but in respect of the burden on customers it is key to stop it in the first place.