Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 June 2022
108. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has received notice that two investors in the national broadband plan will withdraw from the project. [35067/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra109. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of new investors in the national broadband project that have been shortlisted for approval; and the number that have received his approval to invest. [35068/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra110. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of shares as a percentage in respect of the national broadband plan investment that have changed ownership since investment in the project commenced. [35069/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 108 to 110, inclusive, together.
The contract for the National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led intervention, which was signed with National Broadband Ireland (NBI) in November 2019, is a comprehensive and detailed document. To protect the State investment and ensure that the NBP milestones and deliverables are met, the contract has been designed to include extensive protections, quality checks, reporting and monitoring obligations.
The NBP contract provides specific protections in relation to a change in ownership, sale, or change in control of shareholders of NBI. Under the contract, and up until 12 months after the network build is complete, the prior approval of the Minister is required for any of these events.
My Department has not been notified of any change in ownership of NBI to date as required under the contract with NBI. The ownership structure remains as it was at contract signing in November 2019 and at the contract effective date in January 2020.
