Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

For a start, in response to Deputy Dillon, the management of the NBI contract is very important at this point. It is important, for example, that all penalty clauses are applied where they are legally due. I have told my project team not to show any kindness towards the contractor and to let it know that we will be setting a standard that all penalty clauses are applied where they are due.

In terms of managing it, etc., I visited Monaghan to see NBI installing some of the cable with the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, in her area. I spent a lot of time in the west of Ireland this summer visiting broadband connection points and I spoke to people there. I could see the huge impact that has socially that people have a place to gather. I would encourage Deputy Dillon to pursue the broadband connection point option as an interim solution and I will help the Deputy in that regard. The same applies to Deputy O'Rourke.

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