Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)

I am pleased that the CER has moved on this matter and that the cost of disconnection-reconnection will be shared. We have discussed the extent to which people are having their power cut off or "de-energised", as the ESB likes to describe it. It is appalling that when people come to an agreement to sort out their bills, they are then charged for reconnection.

However, something has come to my ears in recent days about which I am concerned. While the ESB is cutting off power to vulnerable people who cannot pay their bills, it is giving free electricity units to senior managers and executives and retired executives. Will the Minister confirm that the ESB does not give free electricity units to its well paid employees while it cuts off power to its customers?

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