Brian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I accept that. I agree with Mr. Smyth's statement that only having one bidder confers some advantage in a tender process.

The report states:

Following the formal notification of eir's withdrawal from the procurement process the former Minister held a brief meeting with David McCourt the chairman of enet and Granahan McCourt on the 31^stof January to confirm Granahan McCourt's commitment to the procurement process notwithstanding the withdrawal of eir. The former Minister advised that he briefed the Secretary General of this meeting. However, there is no formal minute of the meeting with David McCourt on 31^stof January.

Eir pulled out on 31 January but no officials were present and no minutes were kept. All we have is a verbal record. Senator McDowell asked Mr. Smyth whether a formal written statement was taken but it was not. All we have is the word of the former Minister and the word of David McCourt for what transpired at the meeting. Does Mr. Smyth find that situation open to huge risk? A meeting took place on the day eir pulled out yet the people present did not discuss the tendering process for the national broadband plan. Did the Minister telephone to talk about football, the weather in Clare or whatever? I am an Opposition spokesperson for communications. I recall the day that eir pulled out of the process because I felt that the process was in jeopardy.