Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I wish to comment on something Mr. Ó hÓbáin stated. We have had some interesting hearings and many very good presentations, including one from the Secretary General of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform that was delivered in private session. From the analysis from Analysys Mason, it was not a long-term vision that forced us to look to fibre to every house, it is the fact that we have the lousiest planning system on the planet. We just allow houses to be built everywhere, and particularly along roads. Everyone develops a site along the road. The only way to get to proceed - because fixed wireless will not work - is by going house to house with fibre. This is because of the sprawl that exists and it is why we ended up with fibre; it has nothing to do with a long-term approach. It is as clear as day from the Analysys Mason presentation - I do not know if any of the officials will disagree - that this is why we ended up with fibre, not because of a long-term approach.