Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have no wish to be argumentative, but do we genuinely believe the code of practice employed by the CER is actually working? Under the code, anyone who finds himself or herself with a difficulty in paying his or her ESB bill has the option of using a pay-per-hour meter as opposed to being cut off. Some 300 families are being cut off in the greater Dublin area every week. We are suggesting these 300 families are choosing to be cut off rather than using a pay-as-you-go meter. This makes no sense whatsoever. My information came to me by accident last week from a gentleman from ESB Networks who happened to be installing an electricity connection in a unit on the main street in Ashbourne. He was able to detail the differences between the three service providers. I suggest, therefore, that code of practice is not working. Will the Government arrange for some communication with the CER to ask those responsible to examine the cases of the 300 families most recently cut off in the greater Dublin area, why they were cut off and whether they were genuinely offered pay-as-you-go meters or the opportunity to pay their bill or the outstanding debt over a longer period? Will the Government ask the CER to sincerely reconsider the figure of €89 that people are charged for the luxury of having their ESB supply cut off and, more important, whether it will reconsider the figure of €89 they are charged to have to it restored? While I appreciate we are now sharing costs, the price of the service being provided is outrageous for those who are already in considerable distress. There is no family in the country which is having its electricity supply turned off which is not in distress.

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