Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I have a couple of questions for the Secretary General.

On the broadband plan, I am aware the contract has been signed and that Mr. Watt was before the communications committee. He and I, in addition to other members of that committee, had a discussion about the plan at the time in question. Mr. Watt expressed his concerns at the time. His belief was that the proposed project posed an unprecedented risk to the Exchequer. It is signed now; I accept that. I raised this in the Dáil with the former relevant Minister, Deputy Richard Bruton, and asked what safeguards existed. He assured the Dáil that, among other things, there would be milestones in terms of the progress made. It is now reported that milestones are not being reached, and Department officials are reported as saying there are no penalties. With regard to the broadband connection points, 300 were supposed to have been connected this year. There are 164 installed. There are 51 connected, with a further three schools coming on. That makes 54 but it is almost Christmas. I acknowledge that Mr. Watt will say the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications is responsible. I followed the process very diligently when the contracts were being put together, as did others in this House. I have had major concerns about large contracts with a single bidder. What can be done at this stage when promised milestones are not being reached? Where is the protection for the money voted by this House, the public funds? There is potential for a hit to the State of €2.6 billion. We had long conversations about that. We had very detailed conversations at meetings of the communications committee at the time. Is there anything that can be done at this time from a public expenditure point of view?