Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 27 January 2022

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport

National Broadband Plan Update: National Broadband Ireland

Photo of Kieran O'DonnellKieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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Senator Dooley asked a specific question about being capitalised. Some €223 million has been committed. Of that, €120 million has been paid but €108 million of that has come in the form of loans. You can call them shareholder loans but they are still loans. Another €2 million is equity. There is a 12% charge on the shareholders' fund. The question the public will have is how long that shareholders' fund is being provided. With the 12% interest repayment, how quickly will that need to be paid back in cash? Is that putting strain on the balance sheet and the capital structure of NBI with regard to its ability to do the broadband roll-out? That is the question the ordinary public will have.