Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy was, to some degree, prophetic in saying that 30 Mbps was probably too slow because the EU confirmed in 2016 that the requirement would be 100 Mbps for universal access and, as he will be aware, this will go live at 150 Mbps and has the capacity to grow to 500 Mbps in ten years. He was absolutely right.

I hear most complaints and representations from people who were left frustrated in areas beyond the Eir roll-out. I understand that the Eir roll-out is 90% overhead and all on the Eir network. A total of 200 exchanges and 88 MANs that will be used. I do not have those exactly dotted on a map but those are the core system on which we are building to deliver.

There will be gains if take-up exceeds the prediction in that 60% of the additional profit will be clawed back but it also means that some of the exposure, such as encroachment, may not fall to be activated so the State does gain from that.

I understand that Eir has ceased publishing the take-up of the rural roll-out. The last published figure was 14% but the chief executive officer of Eir said a couple of months ago that it has since doubled. I understand it is entirely on track with what Eir expected so there are no grounds for believing there is a different attitude to take-up in rural, rather than urban, areas.

The €30 price is set by ComReg. That could change.