Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses very much for their attendance. To pick up on the issue of standing charges, the Minister for Finance stated yesterday that the energy companies must justify those standing charge increases. I raised questions with the Minister previously regarding standing charges and he pointed to the CRU. We heard today from the commission that it does not have responsibility in that regard. To whom exactly are the energy companies accountable for these increases in standing charges? To whom might they justify those increases? That is the first question.

My second question is on the PSO. In its opening statement, the commission stated it is working with industry to provide the negative PSO levy to customers. Is it not the case that 85% of our renewables are under the renewable energy feed-in tariff, REFIT, scheme and 15% are under the renewable electricity support scheme, RESS, with an opportunity to claw back that PSO? Is there any exploration, investigation or pursuit of a clawback with the significant number of renewables on the REFIT scheme because, obviously, that might return?

Separately, has the CRU explored or considered a ban on low usage charges? Has it considered proposals in relation to the cheapest available tariff being available as standard, as opposed to just those vulnerable customers? I acknowledge the CRU provided additional information for the committee. Within any of that, however, is there an assessment of self-disconnection? We hear from agencies that it is a matter of significant concern as we head into this winter. Does the CRU have any evidence? I thank the representatives from the CRU for the update on disconnections more generally.