Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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210. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has engaged a company (details supplied) on aspects of the national broadband plan; if so, if he continues to engage the company; if the company is also engaged by the preferred bidder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24535/19]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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KPMG Ireland was one of a number of advisors appointed by my Department to provide specialist advice and services in relation to the National Broadband Plan (NBP), following a competitive tender process in 2015.

KPMG continues to provide advice and services to my Department in relation to the NBP. This include specialist commercial and financial advice; review of commercial operator plans, the procurement process and supporting documents, and preparation of commercial/financial provisions of the NBP Contract.

My Department is aware that KPMG Ireland performs the statutory audit of and provides tax advice to, Granahan McCourt Dublin (Ireland) Limited and my Department is satisfied that appropriate safeguards are in place. This includes the audit and tax services being provided by different teams within KPMG Ireland and no contact between the teams with regard to the NBP advisory services.