Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

The number of houses to participate in this test phase is close to 17,000. Originally it was 21,000. The detailed calculation was done and it was seen that we could deliver the analysis we needed on that basis. It is not a question of whether we are going to do this but how we can best do it. It is a programme for Government commitment and it makes sense. As with anything in the energy area or other areas it is right to test for the best technology, get the real human interaction - the behavioural use - right, and then deploy. After that period at the end of next year I do not envisage great agonising as to whether we will proceed. It will be a question of putting into effect the lessons we have learnt from the test scheme in order to facilitate micro-generation and to facilitate not just electricity metering but also gas and other services going into the home. That is what we are doing in the trial test period. We are carrying out the most advanced, integrated, complex metering possible because we believe that will benefit the Irish householder into future years.

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