Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 6:

In page 8, between lines 38 and 39, to insert the following: "(3) Electricity suppliers shall remove any arrears limits placed on prepay meters until the Minister directs otherwise.".

This is a straightforward amendment. I am asking electricity suppliers to remove any arrears limits placed on prepay meters until the Minister directs otherwise. This is proposed in the expectation that there will be a disconnection moratorium or ban over the winter period and deals with the issue as it arises each year in relation to prepay meters. People on prepay meters do not have the same buffer, if you like. If I am on a bill pay account and the disconnection moratorium is in place, I will not be disconnected and I have the comfort of knowing I can dip into arrears. Those on prepay meters do not have the same comfort. I am asking the Minister of State to consider the issue. Perhaps this Bill is not the place for such a matter but I want the Minister of State to consider the issue. Amendment No. 13 is the same.

See this speech in context