Mr. Terence O'Rourke:

On pandemic supports, we have done a number of things. Obviously, we are aware that the pandemic has hit people in different ways. Many small businesses, in particular, have been hit. Many families have also been hit. Especially in cold times like these, people need their energy but may not have the ability to pay. We will work with anybody. We will engage with anybody. We absolutely made a commitment during the lockdowns not to make any disconnections. There were no disconnections made during any period of lockdown, and that will continue to be the case. We have a fund of €1 million with which we are able to help our vulnerable customers. With it, we are helping to contribute to costs where customers are just unable to pay and cannot see a way forward through deferment or anything like that. Additionally, we have increased our contributions to organisations such as the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and bodies working with the homeless at this time. We are aware of the stress the pandemic has caused in the community, and we are working with all our customers, both business and domestic, to try to ensure they get from us what they need. Bearing in mind the many problems people have, I understand electricity supply has not been a particular issue, but we recognise it can be a stress factor. We will work very closely with customers to alleviate their concerns as best we can.

On public lighting, I will not be able to tell the Deputy how many sodium lights have been replaced. Public lighting is a matter for local authorities, which I am sure will be able to answer. I am happy to work with him to get the information. It is not information I have and I am not sure the ESB has it. I believe it is a local authority issue.

On the installation of 240,000 new meters, and those to come, these are new digital meters. Instead of the old wheel that clicked around, the analogue device, there is now a digital meter. It is connected and will help with microgeneration. If homeowners wish to have a solar panel and put electricity back into the grid, rather than taking it from it, the new meter will allow that. It will enable people to work out costs. There will be different tariffs available at different times of the day. People may decide to run the washing machine or to engage in heavy electrical usage at certain times, and they will be able to do so much more flexibly with a digital meter. We will offer different tariffs to people at different times so it will be much more flexible. It will help customers to decide how much money they are going to spend and when they are going to spend it. It will help them to contribute towards decarbonisation and to lower energy usage. The meters are an essential part of this. They are being rolled out to houses right across the country as we speak. Almost 250,000 were installed before the end of last year. While the process was affected a little by Covid, we almost managed to meet our target for last year.

Energy supply and security comprise an important issue. We talked earlier about the need for a generation mix. The impact of Brexit is not significant at the moment. The interconnectors are still working. There is potential for more challenging issues to arise regarding the use of the interconnectors but the interim position when 1 January clicked round was that there was no change in the market. There is, however, potential for disruption. The interconnector proposed to connect us to the electricity grid in France is, therefore, an important part of the mix. We are not sure of the exact framework for how the interconnector with Great Britain will work in the future. The interconnector is an important part of the energy mix, along with renewables and some remaining gas, which is being phased out. The interconnector is important and, as I understand it, Brexit just complicates matters.

On No. 29 Fitzwilliam Street, we were very happy to work with others who were interested in preserving and showcasing Georgian heritage. We will play our part in ensuring the kinds of experiences members' children and my children have had will be available to Irish citizens in the future.