NBI | Business Post

Editor’s picks: Sit down with the best of our big reads

Our editors handpick the best writing in this week’s Business Post – including the lowdown on the mood in Ireland’s tech industry, and an exclusive interview with Health Minister Stephen Donnelly

Today's headlines

Reliance on FDI ‘exposes Ireland to risk of job loss’; Donnelly says Health Tapes in public interest

The top stories from business and politics in today’s Business Post

‘Over time, you’ll see if NBI does a good job and you’ll see what legacy I leave’ – David McCourt

David McCourt, the businessman in charge of Ireland’s National Broadband Plan, talks about the rollout targets, delays and controversies, and his conviction that despite this, the project has a bright future

Departing investors to make €380m from sale of national broadband stake

Spanish firm Asterion has bought out two major shareholders of the company delivering Ireland’s national rural broadband network, which between them had less than €1 million equity in the firm

NBI investors earned €2.2 million in extra fees in 2021

Parent company Metallah received €134.8 million in subsidy income from taxpayers last year

National Broadband Ireland paid over €2m in fees to investors

The company said the money paid to its backers in previous years was due to ‘start-up costs’

TD calls for details of profits from flipping of NBI stake

Social Democrat leader asks PAC to disclose who made money on the sale of 80 per cent of firm set up to oversee national broadband rollout

Sale of 80% stake in National Broadband Ireland to Spanish firm approved

Departing investors in the company set up to deliver broadband to rural Ireland stand to make a return of more than 25 per cent

Minister set to decide on sale of NBI to Spanish investment firm

Decision expected shortly on whether to allow handover of 80 per cent of firm charged with national broadband rollout

Total amount of NBI subsidies from state reaches €244.5m

Details of the taxpayer support that David McCourt’s National Broadband Ireland has received to date were contained in an update provided to members of the Public Accounts Committee

As Asterion takes a 80% stake in NBI, what exactly does it mean for the rural broadband plan?

Asterion is to buy out the National Broadband Ireland shares of Oak Hill and Twin Point Capital. But it remains to be seen whether the new investors take a passive stance, or instead engage in an ‘industrial approach’

NBI investors set for returns of over 25% from sale of stake to Asterion

Asterion Industrial Partners last week agreed to buy 80 per cent of the company, which is tasked with delivering the multibillion-euro National Broadband Plan

Asterion Industrial Partners to buy 80% stake in National Broadband Ireland

Spanish investment firm set to acquire the stakes of a number of major and smaller investors

NBI seeks to transfer 75% of shares in owner reorganisation

Axa and Allianz are said to be interested in investing in the company established to roll out the country’s multibillion-euro broadband plan

‘Significant progress’ made in rollout of National Broadband Plan, politicians to hear

National Broadband Ireland says there is now ‘real momentum’ behind the project which has been beset with missed targets so far

Broadband turf war unfolds with taxpayer on the hook

While NBI has the contract for the multibillion-euro National Broadband Plan, Eir’s network is already available in more than 40,000 premises in the state plan, which could end up costing the government dearly

National Broadband Ireland hit with financial penalties over delays

Multibillion-euro project has been subject to continuous delays and NBI has been sanctioned by government over some delays adjudged to have been within its control

NBI shelves plan to deliver Broadband Plan in five years

Company reverts to original seven-year deadline as politicians criticise delays, but executives predict rollout will ultimately be successful

The men behind the wire: National Broadband Ireland is struggling to hit its connection targets, but its leadership insists that it can catch up

The company has two key tasks to get to grips with to ease the level of scrutiny it’s currently facing. Firstly, it has to convince observers that its financing arrangements and ownership structure are all in order and then it has to reach far more homes and businesses with its network as quickly as possible.

National Broadband Plan failing to deliver value for money for taxpayer, report to say

Damning report from Public Accounts Committee to criticise several areas of NBP rollout