Mr. Denis O'Leary:

My understanding is that there has been an initial request for discussion. There has been initial contact but it has not been in any great detail. It is public knowledge that extensive agreements have been signed by the preferred bidder and Eir for access to Eir infrastructure. The build model, therefore, is on Eir infrastructure. While hopping between Eir infrastructure and electricity infrastructure might sound simple, practical and fine, it is very complex and expensive. Eir infrastructure runs along the side of the road and does not have any high-voltage equipment or any dangerous electricity lines, whereas ESB equipment runs across fields, behind houses and is not always close to the telecommunications industry's infrastructure. If the preferred bidder wants access to ESB infrastructure, it should get in contact with ESB Networks as soon as possible, identify the requirements and assess the best way to deal with them.