Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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437. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a process of due diligence on all companies (details supplied) that are part of the consortium bidding for the national broadband plan will be conducted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41248/18]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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Bidders wishing to participate in the ongoing NBP procurement process had to pre-qualify in order to participate in that process. Only those bidders that could demonstrate they had the necessary economic and financial standing, together with the required technical and professional capability, were allowed to participate in the procurement.  I understand from my Department that the bidder which submitted its Final Tender to my Department on 18 September 2018 met these relevant thresholds set out for the procurement process. The procurement process to appoint a bidder for the National Broadband Plan State intervention network is now at the final stage. Evaluation of the final tender submission is ongoing and will be allowed the time required.  On conclusion of the evaluation, my Department will make a recommendation to me on whether to appoint the bidder as preferred bidder and I will bring the matter to Government for decision.