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

Eir has experience of delivering to rural houses. In its discussions with us, its representatives said the service terms are different and there is a higher connection charge in current area, and there is a dispute over whether the next-day repair percentage is different from the national broadband plan figure. More specifically, however, Eir said that with regard to the provisions for providing connection into a house, it has learned from experience that hanging it by wire is very feasible and works well, and may be technologically easier than it thought it might be when it started its process. It suggested that the national broadband plan, rather than following that example, is giving lucrative terms for any developer to use ducting instead of overhead wires, and to fund up to a €5,000 cost per house for the provision of such ducting. Who was it said recently that the State will have a digger ready to go up to every house and dig for the ducting? However, this will be at a cost of €5,000 to the public whereas Eir seemed to indicate it is not necessary. Does the regulator have any view on those key provisions for the last-mile connection and whether the Government is stitching in a more expensive, lucrative approach, when Eir, as an existing provider of similar services to similar houses, is saying it can be done cheaper using overhead wire technology, and that those terms are too generous?