Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their presentations. I understand the frustration that exists. The witnesses, the Government and I have been telling people that things are going to get better. Someone mentioned the person who must put their hand out the window to get a signal. I know someone who must leave his house and drive to a higher point to get a signal. He is trying to run a business with that. I have been saying for the past couple of years that things are getting better, that there is a plan in place and so forth. At this stage it is a question of credibility in me, the Government and the witnesses. There was a reference to EU state aid approval. Are we sure of that? Is it a done deal? Is the amount agreed or even calculated? What is plan B if our expectations regarding the amount of that EU state aid approval are not as envisaged?

My second point is a suggestion. We must get that map completed very quickly. As well as giving information about the white spots, as we publish the maps we must be able to give solid information to people stating when these gaps will be filled. It must be accurate and we must give that information to people to enable them to plan.

One of the witnesses said there are more than 60 operators. It is quite a crowded workplace. Do the witnesses have the right to insist that the operators share infrastructure to manage costs? Do some of them operate in the Six Counties as well as the Twenty-six Counties? Are we looking at the linkages between the Twenty-six Counties and the Six Counties in this regard? I understand that the more operators there are, the more competition there is and, therefore, in theory it should bring prices down. It also adds an element of risk for the continuity of service. Does the State have any control if someone is not performing or delivering as they should be and must be taken out?

I had another question but I cannot remember it at present.