Amendments Nos. 1 and 2 are related and may be discussed together.
ESB (Electronic Communications Networks) Bill 2013: From the Seanad
The Dáil went into Committee to consider amendments from the Seanad.
Seanad amendment No. 1:
Section 3: In page 4, line 31, after “networks” to insert “and electronic communications services”.
These are technical drafting amendments back from the Seanad. They have been drafted following consultation with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel and are required to improve the legal certainty of the Bill. They do not represent a change in policy in respect of the sections affected.
Seanad amendment agreed to.
Seanad amendment No. 2:
Section 4: In page 5, line 6, after “section 2” to insert “or by a company which has been provided access or services referred to in section 3”.
Seanad amendment agreed to.
I thank the House for facilitating the passage of the Bill. I acknowledge the level of consensus in the House supporting this initiative to use the existing ESB supply system, either by the ESB or by the ESB in collaboration with another company, to provide fibre optic cable to parts of Ireland that have endured a less than adequate service on occasion in recent years. I thank the House for its support.
Seanad amendments reported.