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

The Deputy will be aware that the details of the procurement process for the national broadband plan were published at the end of 2015. They set out very important protections for users, the State and in respect of state aid to ensure fair competition. The proposals that have been put forward by Eir do not comply with those arrangements. When it entered that competition knowing the conditions, it made a bid of €2.7 billion. It subsequently withdrew from the contest. In the last couple of days, it announced at the committee that it could do it for €1 billion. It since produced figures for both €500 million and €1.5 billion. The Department is scrutinising its submission. However, it is important that the Deputy also reflects on the protections that exist such as making sure 100% of people get cover, making sure the charges are the same for urban and rural users, making sure there are fair competition and access rules and making sure State money has the proper governance to oversee its expenditure. These are the issues that are at stake.

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