Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 April 2019
291. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the rationale regarding the approval of the move from a company (details supplied) to an organisation; if the organisation can be invited to the Oireachtas Committee of Public Accounts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15829/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure high speed broadband access to all premises in Ireland, regardless of location. This is being achieved through a combination of commercial investment and a State led intervention. The procurement process to appoint a bidder for the State intervention network is now at the final stage. I will bring a recommendation to Government in relation to the NBP in the coming weeks.
The bidder in the NBP procurement process is led by Granahan McCourt. The bidder has also named a number of key sub-contractors which include the first company referenced by the Deputy. In the event a contract is awarded, the bidder will set up a new company to deliver and operate the State Intervention network. The principle of a separate wholesale company to be established by a successful bidder in the NBP procurement was set out in the 2015 Intervention Strategy. This was in order to ensure safeguards around transparency and governance of public money. The second company referenced by the Deputy in his question is that company.
The business of the Committee of Public Accounts is a matter for that Committee.
