Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 November 2018
162. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he is satisfied that the extension of the concession agreement for the metropolitan area networks followed Office of Government Procurement guidelines; if not, the reason it did not follow these guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47445/18]
View answer169. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the assistance of the Office of Government Procurement was requested with regard to the extension of the concession agreement for the MANs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47452/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 162 and 169 together.
The Department commenced two public procurements for a Concessionaire to manage operate and maintain the Metropolitan Area Networks Phases 1 and 2 in 2003 and 2007 respectively in compliance with national and EU procurement regulations. Contract notices for both procurements were published in the Official Journal of the European Union.
On completion of the procurement processes in 2004 and 2009, each Concession Agreement provided for an initial term of 15 years with an option to extend each Agreement for up to 10 years. Following a detailed review of the options to extend the Agreements or re-tender and, informed by legal advice and advice from external expert consultants, it was decided to extend both Agreements to 2030. As both Agreements contain explicit provisions to extend the term of the Agreements by up to 10 years, no procurement was undertaken.
