Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I thank the delegation for their presentation.

I wish to probe the issue of the approved network charges. Earlier we heard that CRU approved these regulated charges so Electric Ireland plays no role in them. The network charges have increased so has that been the driver of increased standing charges? Can the ESB show the network charge on the bills provided to consumers so that they feel there is some element of the increase, which they may have to pay, in terms of the charge for running the network?

Does the ESB think that energy companies can do more to make it easier for consumers to opt for solar energy, smart technology, insulation, sharing platforms or electric vehicles? Can more be done? We seem to have reached a moment when customers are under a lot of pressure and companies like the ESB need consumer goodwill to roll out infrastructure worth €4.4 billion. The ESB has a perfect opportunity to step up to the plate and say, "we are going to help a national energy resilience campaign and help our customers". If that were done it would result in a win-win situation because people would see the benefits of having more renewables on the system and allowing networks to be built. We have heard elsewhere that planning objections have been a big drag on the ESB's system. This is a moment when the ESB could do a very positive thing that would sell the idea of more renewables on the grid.