Mr. Fergal Mulligan:

On the first question, I am not saying it is down to licensing. Licensing is one part of the issue. The thing with the subsea cable project is that it is a much bigger project than establishing a point-to-point link. As part of that project, NBI would have to hire the requisite expertise in the subsea cable industry, the relevant environmental assessments would have to be done and the relevant licensing would have to be approved. As it would depend on all of the inputs around environmental assessments, it would be difficult to say with any certainty when a licence might be granted. Due to that uncertainty, it would be very difficult for the subsea cable company that would have to be hired to book shipping and boats. I understand a ship could cost €200,000 a day. If you do not know when you are going to have a licence, you would not book a ship and it can be necessary to book ships up to two years ahead to have them in Galway Bay, ready to put cable down. While there is no one to blame, it causes a lot of uncertainty. I am sure the licensing system will deliver whatever is required but it is a very significant and complicated end-to-end project, as I have seen in other projects from here to Europe that I have reviewed. Subsea cabling is a big challenge. Regardless of whether it is just to an island off Galway or to France, it is a big project and very expensive. In this context, NBI has demonstrated to the Department that it is not necessary.

On the question of whether we will co-operate with other Departments, where appropriate, of course we will. Will it be necessary to put in a duct for fibre? That would have to be assessed on an island-by-island basis and with regard to how much the incremental cost would be, which depends on when the ESB or water network works would be happening. Again, we have not had sight of any projects in the pipeline. If they were in the pipeline, of course we would talk to whatever body was doing the work, whether ESB, Irish Water or EirGrid, in conjunction with our Department. Where it makes sense, of course ducting would be put in. I know for a fact that the incremental cost would be very low so it would make sense to do it. It would certainly make sense to at least put in ducting to prepare for the eventuality of fibre being needed at some point in the future. That would just be a sensible approach to take.