Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I have been listening intently to the discussion. I thank the witnesses for their presentations. I have heard a lot of talk about auctions, price points, markets and opportunities but did not hear references to the centrality of the fact that energy provision is an essential public service and, therefore, I am a little concerned. My colleague, Senator Lynn Boylan, raised the issue of the lack of meetings and the consequent lack of whole-of-system thinking. What are the witnesses doing to actively address this? Where is the holistic thinking? The witnesses are all doing great work but it sounds as if it is siloed a little. The lack of meetings is worth bringing up again.

Given how important it is for the public to be part of the solution, could Ms McHugh elaborate on what needs to happen at Government and CRU levels to include customers in trying to reduce demand?

If Ms McHugh were Minister, what policy or registry change or investment does she think needs to happen to allow customers and communities to be part of the solution?