Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)

This Bill will allow the ESB to access more funding and do more in terms of investment in improving infrastructure. As the majority shareholder in the ESB, there is a real onus on the Government to ensure people feel the benefit of that extra funding and investment. This is especially important for areas like mine across Roscommon and Galway that were hammered by Storm Éowyn earlier this year.

Proceeding with projects and more investment is key, of course, but security of supply is absolutely critical. In January, Storm Éowyn left some people without power for more than a fortnight and, in some cases, without heating as well. In my area, people went 17 or 18 days without power. It was a horrendous experience for families. All those people who lost power had to pay their ESB bill like it never happened. That is unacceptable and it must be addressed.

Forestry was a significant issue across Roscommon and Galway, with trees collapsed on lines and poles. Huge damage was done. Last month, once again, people were left without power for days, and some up to a week, following Storm Amy. The men and women working locally in the ESB and in tree service companies were back in some of the same forestry once again. It is absolutely unacceptable that forestry continues to be such an issue in terms of the ESB and power supply. Where there are issues with access, they must be dealt with quickly.

I hope the ESB will also use this investment to look at its vulnerable customers register, which needs work. We must look at what more can be done for people, especially where they are reliant on medical devices to live.

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