Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

In most cases, the taxpayer is taking the risk.

The broadband scheme was not called a public private partnership but it is one. I would argue that it is a very bad one in light of the financial aspects and taxpayers' liability. Would the NTMA agree that, in light of what the taxpayer has ponied up and what is being put forward by the private entity in terms of the overall cost, the risk to the taxpayer is enormous given that there are not even penalty clauses for not meeting targets built into the contract despite the assurances we were given by Ministers on the floor of the Dáil that such clauses would be included? Does the NTMA agree that the broadband scheme poses a great risk to the taxpayer? It is not just a risk; the taxpayer is shouldering a massive burden as well.