Mr. George Merrigan:

I will first point out that this is provided on a commercial basis. There is not a universal service for mobile in Ireland and, as such, how they roll out is primarily a concern for themselves.

In terms of the most recent radio spectrum award, which we completed in 2023, we inserted a series of coverage licence obligations and each one kicks in at a certain time. The first one is due to be in place and delivered, which we will measure, in the first quarter of next year. That is a coverage population of 85% that is due to be in place by the first quarter of next year and we will measure then because that will be three years since the date they won that licence. That particular licence increased the amount of radio spectrum available to mobile operators by 46%. The State has not been slow in making sure the commercial operators have the tools to meet high levels of population coverage. The second emolument in that particular licence is at five years and moves the 85% population target to 92%. The third one is at seven years and moves it to 95%.