Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This debacle has been ongoing since 2012. Announcements were made at that time and since. I thank the Minister for his comprehensive report to date, particularly to this committee. We have seen vast numbers being quoted, particularly in the 300,000 bracket, in the past few months. The figure issued by the Minister is 121,000, with an extra 11,000 that have not been included to date. Will the Minister give dates as to when the 180,000 locations in the 300,000 bracket are proposed to be connected? The cohort of people affected would be concerned by the announcement and these people need to know where the clarity will come from.

The matter of a 25-year contract and negotiations are exceptionally complex in a legal sense. Does the Minister have a view that there are more roadblocks ahead in this process? Is he fearful that more matters may materialise? When all of this is finished, will there be a need for European approval or sanction to ensure the contract comes about?