Brian Stanley (Laois, Independent)

I do not mind because he was pursuing the same issue.

On ESB Networks and its number of workers, the ESB had a great record of doing connections in the past. People would apply for a connection and within a week or two weeks, the crew cab or van would be up there connecting it. The ESB had a workforce of approximately 9,000 at one stage. It went down to almost 2,000 two years ago. The number became very low. One of the effects of that is that jobs, particularly for public bodies, increased. A local authority housing project I am familiar with was held up for a year and a half waiting for the connection because ESB Networks could not get the contractors to do the connection. In the intervening period, the builders said they wanted 60% or 70% more for doing the job. The Department told the council it would not give it and this went back and forth for another six or eight months. Does ESB Networks see the point I am outlining? Margaret Thatcher believed if everything was privatised it would all work out more efficient and cheaper. That is an example of how it went completely crazy.

I was talking to a young person recently who has just started an apprenticeship with ESB Networks. It is great to see those apprenticeships starting again. Is it the aim of ESB Networks to try to increase its direct workforce so that the local managers have control and can say they want a job done next week or the following week? In other words, it will not be dictated by contractors being off doing other work and coming whenever it suits them.