Mr. Tom Gillen:

I have not heard of the 18 month clause but I will go back and look. In respect of the usage rates there are costs approved by the regulator for a network which are passed through in standing charges. There is nothing we can do about it. If usage is low one still has to pay them. It is done differently in other countries but the market still takes that cost.

I understand the Deputy is talking about the county council energy efficiency obligation but central government wants a competitive market and wants the stuff delivered as cheaply as possible because it knows that cost will be passed to consumers.

I understand the point the Deputy is making, but the Government wants this to be cheap. I do not know about the individual case, but I presume it went out to tender and that it was the best price. At the end of the day the costs flow through to customers.