Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome representatives of the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, CRU, and thank them for coming before the committee again. I have a number of questions. First, I welcome the information provided by the CRU in relation to domestic and non-domestic disconnections and the moratorium we have discussed previously at this committee, including the new suite of consumer protection measures that have been introduced until the end of March. This suite of measures is welcome, particularly given it was raised in the media last night as if it did not exist, despite being discussed and welcomed in the Chamber. It is important we reiterate that to give confidence to people who might find themselves in difficulties this winter, notwithstanding anything that might be announced in the budget next week.

I also welcome the work the CRU is doing in rolling out the negative public service obligation, PSO, levy, which was announced by Government some weeks or months ago. This will go some way to alleviating the pressures. The one thing I want to focus on in relation to consumer ability to pay is the view the CRU may have on standing charges. This has been raised in this committee previously. I want to know whether the CRU has the legislative framework with which to address these charges and by address I mean lower. I raise this on behalf of the many constituents who have been in touch with me because it is an increasingly large issue. The variances between suppliers, for instance, can be quite significant. I would welcome the views of the CRU on this issue.

I have two further questions. Should the committee be concerned about the exists from the market particularly by Panda Power and other suppliers. I understand a number of others have exited this year already. Is this something we need to be concerned about? Does the commission know why that exit took place?

Regarding the comments on safety regulation, and of course that is something we should all be concerned about, I am assuming the safety regulation to which the CRU has referred is not included in any legislation either passed by or before the Oireachtas? I refer specifically to regulations that come under the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority, MARA. Does the CRU have knowledge of other jurisdictions within the European Union which have brought regulations in or is there a European example that could be provided to the committee? That would be rather helpful.