asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he is aware that the ESB in the Cork area are refusing to accept Government paying orders in payment of accounts; and that they are threatening to have supplies disconnected in such cases; and if he will have this matter investigated and take steps to avoid hardship to the people concerned.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - ESB Accounts.
5.
As the Deputy is aware, Government payable orders are non-negotiable. I am informed by the ESB that, nevertheless, they normally accept them in payment of accounts provided the name of the payee corresponds with that on the account being paid. The board cannot, however, because of the obvious risks involved, undertake to accept such orders from business people who have cashed them for third parties.
During the present bank strike would the ESB not consider relaxing this rule in order to facilitate customers? I know one case in which a man was threatened he would have his supply cut off and the ESB would not accept this order as payment.
Apparently there is some difficulty about it. If the order is in the name of the payee it will be accepted. That is surely a reasonable compromise.
Could the Minister say what risk is involved?
I could not say what risk is involved but I suppose the risk is that it might have been cashed already and might not be valid.
(Cavan): How could it be cashed if it were still knocking around?
Did the Minister say there was some danger the order might have been cashed?
I think that must be the reason.
If a trader is willing to endorse the back surely the ESB should accept this.
Hear, hear.
This would only be for the duration of the bank strike.
I will ask the Minister for Transport and Power to look at it again but, as far as I know, the ESB will take the same attitude on this occasion as they took on the occasion of the last bank strike. I replied to a question at that time indicating that the average number of persons disconnected had not increased during the whole period of that bank strike which showed that the ESB took a reasonably helpful attitude and did not disconnect a larger number of persons as a percentage of the total number of payments made and I have no reason to believe that they will take a harsher attitude on the occasion of this bank strike.
Question No. 6.
I am sure the Minister will appreciate that cash is scarcer now than it was three years ago. The number of bank notes available is not so plentiful as it was three years ago and it is difficult for people to get cash.
The best thing is for the Minister for Transport and Power to keep his eye on it.
Question No. 6.
(Cavan): Would the Minister not agree that it would be wholly unreasonable for the ESB to disconnect even one person during the bank strike in view of the fact that they were able to operate for six months during their own strike, stand out of payment and not disconnect anybody during that period?
I presume the ESB have got back to the normal rhythm of payment and know the people who are bad payers and who have to be disconnected. They are aware of the general position. I would not agree with the Deputy that they should alter the general attitude they take now that the method of payment is becoming normal again.
Would the Minister prevail on the ESB to accept these third party cheques?
Question No. 6, to the Minister for Social Welfare.