Brian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein)
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Something to bear in mind is that I am one of those Eir customers who are watching their prices increase and increase. Householders are being driven crazy when trying to contact companies about charges. Mr. Lupton represents some of those companies. I wanted to use this opportunity to highlight that issue with him. I thank him for the information he has provided.

I am seeking further articulation of what was meant by the power to take civil action. It would be useful for us as legislators to have people's views.

A connection fee of €67 in Spain versus €272 in Ireland is an astronomical difference. While I recognise that there will be differences, the fee in Britain is €113, which is approximately 42% of our charge. The rural nature of our country is not the whole reason. In some cases, the infrastructure is already in place. I have spent some time trying to work out what would happen if there was a charge per pole to build infrastructure and get past the blue speckles on the map. Eir has got the 300,000 households that are the easiest to reach. How will companies go beyond that point? In some areas with which I am familiar, Eir has 20 houses in a group but, a mile up the road, there are only scattered houses. What price range per pole are we talking about? Would it be between €10 and €30? Would that be an annual charge? Would that approach be feasible and, if so, what would be the implications for the householder?