Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am conscious of time. For us to assist NBI in its roll-out, it would appear that one of the areas that probably requires a bit of tightening up is being able to get road opening planning licences through the local authorities. We will write to the Minister for Transport and Communications and the Minister with responsibility for local authorities to ask them to establish designated units. NBI might advise the committee on what it will need in those units. Obviously it will need planners and engineers. NBI needs to tell us specifically. Many operators ring us to try to get road opening licences through. I am familiar with this issue. It is not as efficient as I would like it to be. Will the witnesses give the committee an indication of what they believe would be required?

Are there other areas where there are blockages in the logistics? Is there an issue with access to labour? What does NBI see as being the blockages over the next 12 months to it rolling out the contract as quickly as possible? What needs to happen so that by the end of the year it will be coming back saying it will get it to five years and that the person who made the representation to me would find the link-up to be much quicker? I also ask the witnesses to flesh out the 60% figure. What will NBI do practically on the intervention areas? People are tearing their hair out. They see neighbours 100 yards up the road on fibre broadband while they are not on it. I am aware of a lady who is looking at a wait of two to three years according to the website. What will NBI do practically? The witnesses have spoken about a pilot scheme. Does NBI need assistance from us?

I know I have asked many questions but it is a round-up. To recap, I have asked NBI to write to us with regard to local authorities, I have asked whether there are other blockages with which we can assist, I have asked about the intervention areas and I have asked the witnesses to confirm once and for all that there are no financial downsides for the taxpayer in the NBI deal and that there may be an upside if the cost of materials decreases.