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

The flip side of what the Deputy has just said is that by the time the point to which she referred is reached, some 500,000 homes will have been connected to broadband. In addition, it is a 25-year contract, to be followed by a further period of ten years. The majority of the money to which the Deputy referred will be used to pay for the entirety of the contract and the availability of the service for ten years after that period. I agree that the payment is very significant, which is why these questions are being raised. However, in return for the money, over 500,000 premises will receive broadband which I do not believe they would otherwise receive. Whether there was improper conduct was reviewed independently by Mr. Peter Smyth who published a report on the matter. If the Deputy decides she cannot accept this, it is her right to do so. The Department was also involved. The conclusion, which I accept, was that there had been no improper conduct across the period. The then Minister, Deputy Naughten, resigned.