National broadband contract
Deputy Catherine Murphy asked whether the Government would still publish the national broadband contract before signing it and whether Brexit could affect financing. The Minister said negotiations were ongoing, the contract would not be signed unless legal and financial conditions were met, and committee scrutiny was continuing.
Does the commitment not to sign the national broadband contract until the contract has been put before the Dáil for interrogation still stand? We were given a commitment some time ago that we would have sight of it. At the same time, we were told the aim was to have the contract signed before the autumn. Is there a doubt about the availability of finances in the context of a hard Brexit?
Comment on this
Work on completing the contract is ongoing between the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and the preferred bidder. Under that contract, certain issues will have to be nailed down in law and finances will have to be provided. The contract will not be signed unless those are delivered. The House has held hearings through the Oireachtas committee. I understand those hearings are continuing. My officials have made themselves available to explain exactly why this contract is the best approach to the delivery of broadband. We will take all views into account to ensure we are satisfied that when we sign this contract, it is being signed in the best interests of the people of Ireland.