Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

41. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the procurement status of the national broadband plan; the date by which every premises in the country will have access to broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41900/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As I indicated in my responses to questions higher up on today's order paper, last week the procurement process being managed by my Department reached a key milestone with the receipt of "Detailed Submissions".  Two submissions were received from Eircom Limited and the Granahan McCourt, enet, SSE, John Laing Group plc consortium.  As the House is no doubt aware, SIRO formally communicated its withdrawal from the National Broadband Plan procurement process.  SIRO remains strongly committed to its planned investment of €450m to provide fibre broadband in 51 towns across Ireland on an open access basis. As of the end of last week, some 100,000 premises have been passed by SIRO.

The NBP procurement process continues to be a competitive process, with two strong operators in the telecommunications field.  The procurement process has now entered its final stages and as I've indicated to the House today, I expect that Final Tenders will be invited in early 2018.