I wish to make three proposals as to how approximately 200,000 pay-as-you-go gas and electricity customers can be protected from the threat of disconnection this winter. The first is to allow customers to transfer from pay-as-you-go bill pay without any obstacles, such as by removing the €199 transfer charge for gas, etc. Disconnections are already banned on bank holidays, Saturdays, Sundays and at other times for pay-as-you-go customers. My second proposal is that the Government could extend the days on which disconnections are banned to any day with a "Y" in it, up to the end of winter, at least. The third is that the Government could introduce a version of the Covid emergency credit, which allowed pay-as-you-go customers an emergency credit of €100 for gas. The number would need to be higher, of course, but there should be no cost to the State. All measures should be financed from the handsome profits of the energy companies. What does the Taoiseach say to these proposals?

I welcome the Deputy's presentation but, as he knows, the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities, CRU, has functions regarding consumer protection as part of its statutory role, including around disconnections and protections for those on prepay meters. As part of the national energy security framework, the CRU announced enhanced consumer protection measures for implementation this winter. There is a range of protections for customers on prepay meters.

In addition, if anyone is in any difficulty, we have the social welfare system to provide supports on an emergency-needs basis and a basic position with regard to not disconnecting people throughout the winter who are in genuine hardship. We are looking at approximately 340,000 prepay electricity meters, with 90,000 of those provided to people who have experienced electricity debt, to help them budget these costs and providers have clear protocols in place.