Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It will be one report which deals with two items and that will comprise a chunk of the next periodic report to be completed. Our target is for the end of this month. I reiterate what the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment stated because the people did not fully grasp it . There was a debate in the Dáil last week with the Minister on the issue, where he stated the Department was dealing with one tender and that he would bring a proposal to the Government in the near future. That was picked up by the public and many people interpreted it as suggesting there would be a decision on the contracts. The Secretary General, however, made it clear at the committee last week that the only proposal that would be made to the Government in the near future would be to appoint Brendan McCourt, or not, as the preferred bidder. When the preferred bidder status is given, the Government remains under no contractual obligation. It is not a contract for rural broadband. It gives the Government certainty in order that it can then negotiate its infrastructural agreements with Eir and other bodies. It now has some certainty to finalise the detailed costs.

When that is all put together, after whatever period of time, the Government can consider signing a contract, or otherwise. There have been cases in the past where preferred bidders have been approved by the Cabinet, circumstances change, and ultimately the contract is never signed at a loss and cost to the preferred bidder because there are no contractual obligations. The proposal to the Government is not to sign the national broadband plan contract but rather only to appoint the preferred bidder. While it is a significant step along the way, it is not the entire process. I am sure people understood that from the debate that emanated from the Dáil last week, but the debate on the issue at the committee's meeting was more specific. I am putting it on the record because the Deputy has raised the issue, and it might clarify the matter for the public. Our target is the end of this month, which is only a few weeks away.