Mr. T.J. Malone:

I might elaborate a little on the procurement as well. We have forward-bought and worked with the Department to identify areas we thought there would be worldwide shortages. Fibre roll-outs are huge worldwide at this point. We have forward-secured for three years on our main products, such as fibre, etc. Where we would have ensured a stock of three months at any given time, we have doubled that so there is now a minimum of six months of stock held for us at all times.

On the question of contractors, we have added additional contractors to our framework at this time. As and when we need to introduce them into the programme if we have resource shortages, we can do that. We are going through another process at this stage and the Department has just signed off for it to go to tender for adding contractors on top of that. Our view is to ensure we have enough of a supply of materials and contractors. Some of the contractors we are adding have international links and they can draw on resources from other countries where urban fibre roll-outs may be coming to an end and we can take resources from there.