Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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66. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when his Department first announced plans to introduce the national broadband plan; the dates on which various Ministers held press conferences to publicise it; the expected commencement and completion dates given by ministers at each of these press conferences; the projected commencement and completion dates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41708/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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I refer the Deputy to my replies to Question Number 72 of 6 December 2016, Number  43 of 7 February 2017, Number 85 of 9 May 2017 and Number 88 of 27 June 2017.

By way of additional information, we have now reached a significant milestone  in the  procurement process for the State led Intervention under the National Broadband Plan (NBP). Last Tuesday, 26th September, 2017,  my Department received submissions from two bidders, legally termed  "Detailed Solutions" .  This is the last stage of the procurement process before receipt of final tenders, which are expected early next year, and ultimate progression to the appointment of a preferred bidder or bidders.