Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 July 2015
321. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to include a clause in contracts for commercial entities providing broadband roll-out services, which states that rural areas such as County Donegal will be prioritised as part of the national broadband plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29412/15]
View answerThe prospective bidder or bidders for the NBP contract are experts in network roll-out and each will bring different network architectures and technologies to bear on the project which will be capable of delivering the network in different ways. It is considered that they will be best placed to determine the sequencing of the network deployment to maximise efficiencies during network build. It is proposed, however, to engage with the winning bidder or bidders on the optimum roll-out strategy, having regard to business and consumer needs, areas of particularly poor service and areas of strong demand. These factors will need to be balanced against the most efficient network roll-out and will be agreed during the procurement process.
