Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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There are obviously issues with Eir, for example, the size of the company, and the implications it has for the roll-out of the national broadband plan, NBP, not to mention ordinary telecommunications. However, as a private company, Eir is not accountable to the committee. I advise that the topic of Eir's current and future investment strategy on the telecommunications industry and market in Ireland might be more appropriate to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport and Communications. Another option would be for this committee to cover Eir’s investment strategy and its engagement with National Broadband Ireland, NBI, and the Department on the NBP in correspondence with Eir. That said, the committee’s related draft report is before the committee this afternoon so the material would not be of benefit to it in that regard. We can take either approach to the issue. We can refer it to the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications or cover Eir's investment strategy, engagement and relationship with NBI and the Department on the NBP in correspondence with Eir. We deferred discussion of this matter because Deputy Dillon was not with us the last day. We can defer it until he is here. It is up to members. Does anyone have a strong view on it?