Ms Michele Connolly:

One of the considerations in looking at the different ownership options under consideration was to see whether it would be possible to use existing infrastructure that was already in place in Ireland. It is a requirement of state aid in the first instance to use the existing infrastructure to the greatest extent possible. There is a similar requirement in other jurisdictions that have sought to deliver broadband. That was certainly one of the factors underpinning the consideration. The ownership option that was decided on, which is now on the table from the final bidder, uses the existing infrastructure that is in place in Ireland. It will use aspects of the Eir and ESB networks.