National broadband plan briefing
Timmy Dooley objects to a ministerial broadband update being held outside the House and asks for scrutiny in the chamber. The Taoiseach says the press conference is simply an update in the procurement process and that House ordering is for the Business Committee.
The Government's plan for the next generation of broadband is set out on page 46 of the programme for Government. The House discussed this matter last week. Will the Taoiseach explain why a press conference is being held today by the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Denis Naughten, to outline the latest developments in the national broadband plan? A press conference is being held outside the House and, as a result, we cannot put substantial questions to the Minister that would allow us to understand why, since 2012, successive Governments of which the Taoiseach has been a member have failed to roll out broadband to the 500,000 or so households throughout the State that are not provided for by commercial companies. Will the Taoiseach indicate to the House whether he is aware that at least one of the three companies that was about to bid for the national broadband plan has potentially not submitted a tender?
Comment on this
I am not aware of the details of any press conference being held, but I am told that draft final bids in the procurement process are expected from bidders today. My apologies - the Minister is hosting a press conference today at Government Buildings to provide an update on the national broadband plan. This key stage is a significant milestone in the procurement process and it is the last stage before bidders are invited to submit final tenders. The roll-out of high-speed broadband in rural areas is happening. In order that people might check the roll-out areas, the Department's high-speed broadband map is now available at www.broadband.gov.ie. The map is searchable by Eircode.
Comment on this
Could we not have had a debate on the matter in the House? Could the Taoiseach ask the Minister to at least come before the House when making these kinds of statements rather than their being made at a remove and, consequently, not being open to scrutiny here?