Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 9 November 2017

Public Accounts Committee

2016 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 29 - Communications, Climate Action and Environment

9:00 am

Mr. Mark Griffin:

There are a number of components to that subhead. However, the Deputy is right that the bulk of the underspend in 2016 was in relation to the national broadband plan. I do not see this as a reflection of a delay in the plan or a lack of commitment on our part in this being a priority for the State. In fact, what one sees is that the bulk of the money underspent in 2016 on the national broadband plan will be spent in 2017. There is a timing delay more than anything else.