Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

As I have said on numerous occasions in the House and at this committee, this is not a normal tender or procurement process. I have explained that in detail. This is a competitive dialogue procurement process. It is unusual in an Irish context to have such a process. It is unusual to have such a large project here. A competitive dialogue procurement process is the only type of procurement that is available when one does not know what the final solution will be. When this process started on 22 or 23 December 2016 we did not know what the final solution would be. We did not know if there would be a wireless-based solution or fibre-based solution. Three bidders suggested a fibre-based solution, and each has withdrawn at different times during this process, for one reason or another.

They have given their reasons. They are all commercial companies and have to make their own decisions. However, I am confident that this process will provide us with a bidder and a final solution that will deliver high-speed broadband to every home in Ireland. That evaluation is ongoing. I await the completion of that evaluation. Once I have it to hand, I can go to the Government.