Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

As regards the definition of "assets", on Second Stage I raised the issue of the telecoms sector. Aurora Telecom is owned by Bord Gáis but I understand that it will not form part of the disposal. Prior to the Christmas recess, the Minister will be bringing forward far-reaching legislation on expanding the telecom sector. Hopefully, it will address the broadband deficits. We should have a single holding company for all the State's fibre assets. Can a facility be provided for in this Bill to allow the Minister, if he so wishes, to transfer Aurora Telecom and its broadband assets into one holding company? Issues have arisen concerning the transfer of these assets into one holding company. The Minister's Department has been repeatedly examining the matter for ten or 15 years. We now have an opportunity to provide facilitating legislation. It is imperative that broadband assets should be held in State ownership, but in one holding company so that all the fibre can be lit. That will ensure we have a backbone across the country that can improve broadband capacity so that constituencies like mine have an opportunity to access high-speed broadband equal to that of Dublin city centre.