Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy would tell me that we were seeking to own an extension to a broadband network that we did not own, which would mean that the very risk all of the committee's members are justifiably raising with me would sit with the State. We would carry all of it. Part of the questions colleagues are understandably putting to me has to do with the risk involved. If this asset was to be State owned, a question would then have to be asked about why we did not own all of the broadband network, which clearly would involve a decision in respect of Eir. All of the risk of a possible impingement on the broadband area, the roll-out and uptake rates would sit with the State. Having evaluated the other options and some of the costs, on balance, I think this is the best course for us to take.