Labour Party TD Seán Sherlock has said electricity providers must be challenged on their treatment of customers after a 62 year old woman in his Cork East constituency had her supply disconnected despite not owing her provider a penny.

Deputy Sherlock said the woman - a widower on a fixed income - had her electricity cut off after she failed to pay a €300 deposit to her electricity provider because she did not wish to pay by direct debit.

"If the company is vying for customers then this is not a very good way of going about it. Those on limited means are transferring to alternative suppliers in a bid to save money. However, there are very few people who would have a €300 deposit to hand. The lady in question never missed a payment and manages like so many others pays her bills bit by bit at the Post Office or via bank draft.

"She is now facing three days without electricity because there is no provision for emergency same-day reconnections. She lives alone and does not have gas. Now in addition to paying a €96 disconnection fee she must also fork out a further €99 to get her supply back. It is a disgrace that such a situation could be allowed happen to someone on such limited means.

"We are told that disconnection is only used as a last resort and generally in cases where substantial bills have not been paid. This was not the case and something has to be done to ensure this will not happen to someone else. A lot of people out there are experiencing real hardship and electricity providers must take on board people's individual circumstances. If they won't then it is up to the government to step in and ensure they do because we are talking about a basic human need and the costs being imposed on people have to be justified"