Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 2:

In page 4, line 21, to delete ", selling".

This is generally good legislation, providing for something I had previously suggested as a solution to our broadband distribution network problems. From the outset I had only two amendments, one of which was a social-benefit clause placing a responsibility on the company that any job vacancy would be filled by a person to be taken from the register of unemployed people. I accepted the Minister's response on Committee Stage that it would not be appropriate in this primary legislation. I would hope to see it become copper-fastened in Government policy that any State venture such as this would include a social-benefit clause.

Section 2(b) states that the board may engage in the business of "leasing, licensing, selling and otherwise providing, making use of and engaging in any service in connection with electronic communications networks and electronic communications services infrastructure." My amendment proposes to delete "selling" from that section of the legislation.

On Committee Stage the Minister said - I fully accept his bona fides - that he has no intention of selling off this utility. However, I believe there could be unintended consequences here. First, the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, will not be the Minister forever. Second, leaving the word "selling" in that section could lead to the privatisation of the ESB fibre network.

It could lead to an unhealthy monopoly with one communications company having a virtual monopoly of broadband provision in the country. It could result in such a private company monopoly using an infrastructure that was paid for by Irish people and using ESB staff who have extensive powers of access to land to enrich the company principals and shareholders. We would, in effect, potentially be sowing the seeds of yet another golden circle.

I do no understand why the Minister will not remove the "selling" from this legislation. While his intentions may be entirely honourable and I am sure they are, he will not always be Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and another Minister at some time in the future could misuse that clause by virtue of the it containing the word "selling". I ask the Minister to agree to withdraw the word "selling" from the section. I would like to allow this legislation to go through unopposed but I will certainly oppose this section unless the word "selling" is removed from it.

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