National Broadband Plan

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 October 2018

Thursday, 25 October 2018

Ceisteanna (120)

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

120. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department has been involved either through the Office of Government Procurement or otherwise to date with the tendering process for the national broadband plan; if so, the details of such involvement; if his Department will be involved with the tendering process for the national broadband plan; if so, the details of that involvement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44297/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

Officials in my Department with responsibility for the Vote of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment have been apprised periodically by that Department of progress on the procurement process but have had no involvement or input in that process or any evaluation of same.

The Office of Government Procurement was represented in an advisory role on the Procurement Board for this project. The primary aim of this Board is to independently review the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment’s oversight of the evaluation stages of the procurement process but has no decision making role in the procurement process. This is a matter for the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment.