Ministerial Meetings

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 November 2018

Tuesday, 6 November 2018

Questions (464)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

464. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 176 and 177 of 18 October 2018, if further information will be supplied in respect of her meeting with a representative of a company (details supplied) in December 2016 in her previous role as Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs; if she will supply the briefing notes and minutes of this meeting; the number of meetings she had with the company since 2015 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44788/18]

Written answers

Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation

As outlined in my previous response, I met with a representative of the company in question in December 2016 in my previous role as Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. I was accompanied by an official of the Department. The meeting related to issues now under the remit of the Department of Rural and Community Development.

The meeting was a short meet and greet with a representative of the company who wished to outline the company's operating model, provide an update on its work on the Metropolitan Area Networks, and an outline of their ideas around the key issues and opportunities concerning rural telecommunications and infrastructure.

I have consulted with the Department of Rural and Community Development, who have informed me that a briefing note was prepared by officials ahead of the meeting. This briefing note has now been provided to me by that Department and I will arrange for it to be sent to the Deputy. The Department of Rural and Community Development has informed me that, as the meeting was a short introductory meeting, no minutes were taken.

I have not met the company on any other occasions since 2015 to date.