Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 May 2019
523. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the actions taken in considering the renationalisation of Eir; the meetings held with Eir; the reports received by him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21694/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAmong the alternatives considered following the submission of the final tender in 2018 was the possibility of reacquiring eir or specific network assets owned by eir. A high level indicative analysis based on information available in the marketplace was performed by officials in my Department and by NewERA. Both analyses concluded that the costs to acquire eir would likely exceed the subsidy to be awarded under the current proposed solution to the NBP State intervention. Similar to the other long list of alternatives considered, my Department concluded that to pursue this area would further delay the NBP and take longer to reach 100% of the premises in the Intervention Area. In addition, it would be required to conduct a consultation on a new strategy, along with a new procurement process and State aid application.
