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

The original target for premises to be passed by the end of January this year was 115,000. Then the revised plan was 60,000. These are premises to be passed and not connected. The number being connected is far smaller. Something that concerns me is that when the legislation was going through the House, I raised this issue and so did a number of other people with the then Minister, Deputy Bruton. I was given to understand there would be a stand-alone penalty. What this states is that there will be a delay in payment. Given the fact there is leeway for construction inflation we must wonder whether there is any real pressure on National Broadband Ireland and the contractors to expedite this any quicker. If there is room for manoeuvre on construction inflation and they get paid as they complete the works-----