Brian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Minister suggests that an alternative would have to be cheaper. How much of the €2.95 billion State subsidy will be paid to another private company, Eir, for the use of its poles and ducting? We have a network in place. As regards people being left out, the network to which I am referring, that of the ESB, covers every house while Eir's does not, even though it has poles all over the place, some of which are falling over. As regards the cost, if we have infrastructure, why does it make sense to rent or lease other infrastructure on which to hang cables or through which to duct it? Sinn Féin has tabled a motion to bring this issue before the Dáil on 11 June. We have put forward the basis of an alternative plan for delivering value for money through public ownership, which we believe is the best model. I fail to see why the Minister has ignored the advice of the most senior officials in the Department of Public Expenditure of Reform and in his own Department. Perhaps he will tell me.

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