Mr. Fergal Mulligan:

The criteria are based on the contract set out and published. There are 227 deployment areas up and down the country. NBI gets paid in respect of each individual deployment area for the successful design upfront of that area and then for the successful completion of the build past premises. The company also gets payments for connecting premises. Those are the three most substantial payment criteria. The Department oversees the design of the network. The design of the network means ensuring all the equipment is in place, as well as the requisite design of the pole and duct network. That allows the subcontractors and Eircom to have the equivalent of the architect's designs for a house and to be sure that those are fit for purpose. We oversee that aspect. When we are satisfied on an independent level that the design is fit for purpose, that situation is then also certified by an independent certifier who is qualified in that business. When that process is all done and dusted, and we receive the certificate, NBI can get paid. That process will continue for the next ten years on the build and connections side of things. It is a quality control system to ensure the work is done and done to the quality required and the work is certified as being payable.