Mr. Aidan Ryan:

I agree with Deputy Ann Phelan's comments in terms of the position, had planning permissions originally been provided for this. We are trying to catch up and use the opportunity to resolve these issues in respect of civil works that are under way at present. For example, we have been working closely with the local authorities in respect of road opening licences, on co-ordinating and bringing together the various stakeholders that have an interest in rolling out, building and using infrastructure in order that this information will be available in some central form. The latter need not be a single organisation or individual. The draft regulation refers to having web-based and hyperlinked facilities through the owners. However, the key part of it is that once the access to the information is available for the relevant parties, this will allow the right decisions and engagements to take place.

That principle is captured well in the proposed legislation.