Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The smart meter programme was rolled out seven years ago. We have 1.6 million customers now on it. Why are we only now talking about putting a web page in place with the SEAI? Why are we only now talking about the problem with sharing data? What has gone on over the past seven years? That is when this should have been done so that people could benefit from smart meters.

It seems to me that we roll out everything and then examine the potential benefit. The SEAI or CRU should have put this website in place seven years ago, not now. As a customer, I was not aware that I had to sign up with ESBN to get that data for myself. I am sure the same applies to Deputy Collins. We are an awful lot more tech savvy than the vast majority of older customers. The point is being made that no one is assisting these people in utilising the technology that has been put in place. It is great for ESBN because it does not have to pay meter readers. That was the one bit of communication the company had with older customers and it is now evaporating. However, we do not see the benefit from the point of view of the consumer. That element of all of this seems to be ignored.