Ms Aoife MacEvilly:

There can be different approaches to this throughout the EU. My understanding is that not every jurisdiction necessarily has a fixed element of the charge. Some go with pure per-unit rates. In Ireland it has been traditional to have a standing charge-type arrangement because networks tend to be a higher proportion of the bill. The UK also tends to have a standing charge arrangement as part of the billing. The regulatory regimes vary from member state to member state. In general, the EU has advocated for no regulation of price. Obviously, different approaches are being taken now given the very high and volatile energy prices. We may not, therefore, be fully up to date on where that is at the moment.