Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

With regard to the national broadband plan, the communications protocol comprises the ground rules that were set, yet it was not used as one of the tests in respect of which Mr. Smyth was asked to be satisfied. The communications protocol covered bidder, Minister and officials. Throughout the process, we have to ask where the officials were while all the meetings were taking place. Some of the meetings were minuted and others were not. Undeniably, they breached the protocol. Why were the officials not advising against the kinds of interactions or refusing to leave themselves open to allegations of a protocol breach? The tweet mentioned by Deputy Dooley seems to indicate a mindset in the Department involving a very senior official suggesting the decision has already been made. Will the Minister confirm that this is not the case and that there is a robust process under way? At what level is the official? Will he be taking part in the process? Can the Minister really describe this as a competitive tendering process if there is only one bidder?

Will one of the tests be for affordability? If not, there will be limited take-up and this will have to be revisited.

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