Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy has broadened his question. I will take the broader aspects and then read into the record. We are not putting the costs down in this phase of the conversation. As the Deputy knows, it will go to a public procurement process. There will be money available for this Government intervention. The Department would not have spent time contacting the European Commission to ensure all the t's are crossed and the i's dotted regarding State-led intervention without having the backup, and the Government is committed to it. There is no plan yet as to which areas will be done first. While 30% of the land mass is not commercially viable, this could change over the next six months if operators decide to intervene in particular locations. If the likes of Eircom - now known as Eir - or other companies come in and propose to provide broadband to certain towns, it is important that there would be a commitment there. My officials are working very hard and very closely with the operators that announce that they will provide broadband in a particular town and there must be the question of responsibility at a private intervention level and at Government level.

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