National broadband plan report
Deputy Brendan Howlin asks when the Peter Smyth report on the national broadband tender will be published and when Government will make clear its position. The Taoiseach says it has been received, must go through due process and may be redacted, but should be published within days.
I want to ask the Taoiseach about the national broadband plan. We have all been concerned since the resignation of the former Minister, Deputy Naughten, about where we are going. We understood there was to be a three week process to be led by Mr. Peter Smyth to evaluate whether the existing tendering process was sufficiently robust or if we needed to go back to scratch. We understand Mr. Smyth's report has been received by the Attorney General and considered by the Government, but I understand a decision has yet to be made. When will we see the report and when will we have clear views from the Government on how we are to proceed to ensure this vital facility will be provided?
Comment on this
The Minister, Deputy Bruton, and I received the report yesterday. It has to go through due process, as I am sure the Deputy will appreciate. It is with the Attorney General. Parts of it may need to be redacted for commercial reasons and the people named in it have to be given an opportunity to comment or reply. We anticipate publishing it as soon as possible. I anticipate that happening in a matter of days, rather than weeks, but the report was not actually discussed by the Cabinet because we have to follow due process first.