I propose to take Questions Nos. 160 and 161 together.
Since 2003, twelve Concession Agreements with private companies have been in place in my Department. Independent legal and procurement advice was sought in five of these cases and in no instance did the advice received recommend not to proceed with the procurement process.
Four of these twelve Concession Agreements related to telecommunications services. Two related to the management of the Emergency Call Answering Service (ECAS) and two related to the management of the Phase I and the Phase II Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs). The term of the 2009 ECAS contract was extended by two separate 12-month periods, the latter ending on 14 July 2017. These decisions were informed by legal advice. In March 2017, in compliance with EU and national procurement regulations and informed by legal advice and the advice of external consultants, the two MAN’s Concession Agreements were extended to co-terminate in 2030 to provide certainty to telecommunications service providers in the telecoms market.
A total of six of these Concession Agreements have been extended for periods of three years or more, all of which contain extension / renewal provisions. Three of these Agreements have since expired.
