Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There is risk attached. In this system and approach, the State is not taking on all the risk. A private sector operator is bringing to the table money and expertise and sharing the risk. There is a risk, with no guarantee of commercial return. It is important to understand that is how the project has been established. As a Government, we have a simple choice about whether we sign the contract or go back to the drawing board. If we sign it, the process can be completed by the autumn. Within one year, 10,000 homes throughout rural Ireland and 300 hot stops, community centres, schools, etc., can be connected to high-speed broadband. The following year, another 100,000 to 150,000 homes, farms and businesses will be connected-----

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