Dr. Paul McGowan:

It would be important to distinguish our energy safety functions, of which we have some. We are the safety regulator for the upstream petroleum and gas sector and the downstream natural gas sector. We have no safety function relating to electricity networks. Our function is purely as an economic regulator. The way that we fulfil our obligation to carry out that function is by ensuring that the utility has adequate funds to meet its safety obligations. We would be satisfied based on what we have seen. During the current price control, PR4, the ESB requested additional funding for safety due to initiatives that it wanted to undertake. We examined that and gave it additional funding for its safety functions. We have discharged our function. We do not have a safety function related to electricity.