Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 9 July 2019

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment

ESB Networks: Commission for Regulation of Utilities

Dr. Paul McGowan:

That is right. We adjusted that primarily because we expected the ESB to do the programme more efficiently. It was not that we did not agree with the programme. As with any utility that we regulate, the utility needs to present us with evidence that the programme is necessary. If it presents that evidence, then we make the funds available. At the end, if it presents evidence that it carried out the programme efficiently, then we allow those funds to flow through to prices that consumers ultimately pay.