National Smart Metering Programme
Seanad Éireann — 2020-11-11
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Garret Ahearn (FG), Administrative Panel

I thank the Minister of State for her reply. I note that she said that during 2020 it is quite difficult to have the same pace of roll-out as 2019, so I hope the situation will be better next year.
However, if the roll-out has slowed down, it is the perfect time to reassess and re-evaluate whether it is the right approach from both the cost and environmental perspectives. I have been speaking to businesses in Tipperary and around the country that have concerns, especially about costs. Every decision the Government makes and certainly every decision that is made in the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation is related to reducing costs for customers during this time. There is a certain level of concern, and it is factual, that introducing this is going to increase costs.
I set out a number of questions earlier and I would appreciate if the Minister of State would get the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, to refer back to me in detail on them. It is a very important issue for households and especially for businesses that are struggling.

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Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:48:46+00:00
Sitting date: 2020-11-11