Michael Moynihan
Ceist:71. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the programme for Government commitment on broadband. [32477/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 4 October 2017
Ceisteanna (71, 80)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:80. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the roll-out of the national broadband plan. [41903/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 80 together.
I have given a detailed outline on the current status of the procurement process in my responses to the priority questions on today's order paper. The Deputies will be aware that this procurement process will select a bidder, or bidders, who will roll-out a new high-speed broadband network to remote and rural areas not served by commercial operators. The successful bidder, or bidders, will build, maintain and operate this State intervention network for the next 25 years.
Last Tuesday, 26 September 2017 was the closing date for bidders to submit their, "Detailed Solutions", in the procurement process and I can confirm that my Department received submissions from two bidders. These bidders were Eircom Limited and the Granahan McCourt, enet, SSE, John Laing Group plc consortium. This is a significant and positive milestone in the process and the path to a digitally equal Ireland. The submissions received means that we are at the final stages of this procurement process.
My Department's specialist NBP team will now evaluate these two submissions over the coming weeks, with the expectation that very early in 2018 bidders will be invited to submit final tenders.
I am confident that the combination of existing commercial investment and the State intervention will make Ireland an exemplar in Europe and beyond, in terms of providing high-speed services to all citizens regardless of where they live or work.