Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It was always envisaged that part of the broadband plan would need to be delivered via state aid. We initiated at the end of 2015 a competitive tender to develop a proposal to deliver state aid to what was then 740,000 but subsequently became 540,000 homes and premises, comprising 1.1 million people. I think the Taoiseach indicated during the week that the work on evaluating this proposal is at a very advanced stage. He is anxious that it go to Government so an informed decision can be taken as to whether this represents an investment we should make. He has also signalled to the Houses of the Oireachtas that Members, including Deputy Stanley, will have the opportunity to scrutinise the materials when the decision is taken.

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