Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 10 February 2022

Public Accounts Committee

2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications
National Broadband Plan Expenditure and Related Matters

9:30 am

Mr. Peter Hendrick:

Within the contract, there are mechanisms to deal with delays. We must provide specific evidence of what those delays are. Regarding the details in respect of surveys, design and engagement with contractors, our own auditors have been reviewing all the data we get back. We verify what is a delay not of NBI's making. We verify what is, in circumstances of relief, related to Covid-19, and then what delays are not related to a relief context. In the case where relief applies, we get time extensions. We do not get financial compensation. Our imperative, therefore, is to increase the volume of activity to try to catch up on those delays. We do not, however, get compensated in this regard. Our milestones stay as they are, and we must deliver the network to achieve subsidies.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.