I have a friend who lives in a country town. In order to get work he has for the past 3 years to do contract work abroad for 7 months. He is not particularly paid for this work. He always gets the electricity cut off before he leaves and gets it reconnected on his return. He gets a neighbour to check that all is ok. He was telling me today that as the electricity is off for more than 6 months that the ESB require him from an electrician that all is in order and a cert to that effect before they will reconnect. The same electrician has done this on the last 3 occasions at 200 euro provided there is nothing wrong. In an out in 15 mins. The electrician is local to the area and when asked could he do it for less just stated "thats the minimum". I just think it is a bit steep in 2012. I expect that there will be differing views.