Ms Aoife MacEvilly:

I will kick off. First, we are an independent regulator but we work within the policy framework set nationally and by the EU. Therefore, we do not set targets. We see ourselves as implementing the targets that exist. Equally, regarding property-proofing, we are not developing the policies and we are not looking at that aspect. However, we try to be cognisant of the impact on customers and of trying to deliver those policies at least cost. We have outlined that element in respect of competitive markets and incentives for networks to devise and deliver the best options. As was mentioned, we focus particularly on customer choice and on ensuring that everybody has choices. We try to ensure that it is not just a few people who can afford to make certain investments or have homes where decisions can be made concerning retrofitting or installing microgeneration equipment.

For those reasons, we felt that the smart metering project provided an opportunity for everyone across the island to have options to lower their bills, regardless of where they live or whether they own or rent their homes. It is important to us that everybody has those choices. Every household will be different in making those choices and in what will be regarded as tolerable, beneficial and useful. The key theme for us, though, is to give customers choice and there are many choices they can make. People can switch suppliers, renegotiate, switch to time-of-use tariffs, and there will be an increasing number of such choices over time. We will work to ensure that those options are available to the widest number of customers and not restricted to a few people. I will hand over to Mr. Gannon to talk about regional balance in respect of energy networks and use-supply aspects.