Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

Yes, I do not believe that it would be appropriate. I prefer to reply to the key issue of those in danger of disconnection because these are the people we have to care about. We have witnessed a change in the arrangements whereby the disconnection charge has been lowered but it is critical that under the new arrangements suppliers have to give clear written communications and refer to MABS in disconnection cases. There has to be a minimum of four successful contacts with the customer, at least two of which would be in writing, with each attempt to be made no less than three working days apart. There has to be a mandatory notice of supply disconnection with a minimum of seven to ten business days notice.

The CER has responded and the utility companies will have to respond further in recognising that there are customers in difficulty who have to be managed. The changes in the code will help and we will have to monitor everything to make sure people are not cut off in difficult times.

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