Denis Landy (Labour) | Oireachtas source

Sections 17 to 20 deal with the provisions of meters. I would like to hear more on how the meters will be installed. In support of Senator Norris's contribution, could we have more information on it? In one section of the explanatory memorandum it states the work will be undertaken by the local authorities, in another part it seems to suggest there will be a separate metering authority. I would like to have this clarified?

Another issue that concerns me, and I acknowledge the Minister of State has done it for the right reasons, is the fact that as no planning permission will be required for the erection of the infrastructure, will the public interest and people's private rights be protected as a result? At present the ESB under the 1927 Act has waiver rights over all lands to ensure it can go in and provide its services. To the best of my knowledge that is the only company that has such a right. If we are introducing this provision, it is a very serious issue. I have personal knowledge of how the 1927 Act is applied by the ESB. The question is whether way leave entitlements provisions are included in the Bill? This is a very important question as the private citizen will want to know the answer to that question.

It is proposed to install in the first instance 1 million meters, that leaves 300,000 metres that cannot be installed. How will houses in which no metres have been installed be assessed for payment?