Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy has asked the Taoiseach a number of questions regarding the review into the National Broadband Plan being undertaken by Mr Peter Smith.
“I am determined to ask the relevant questions now before it’s too late or we risk finding ourselves back in another costly Tribunal or Inquiry.”
Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy has asked the Taoiseach a number of questions regarding the review into the National Broadband Plan being undertaken by Mr Peter Smith.
Deputy Murphy asked the Taoiseach to expand on what is likely to be included in the review and the likely timeframe? What are the Terms of Reference for the review and how will they be decided upon? She also asked if there was a potential conflict of interest for Mr Smith given that he has been the Independent Process Auditor throughout the process to date.
Catherine Murphy TD said today:
“Given that Mr Peter Smith was charged with auditing the process while it was underway, I would question whether he is the best person to now conduct a review into the process. In effect he is being asked to review not only the process but his role in that process and that seems like it has the possibility of creating a conflict of interest.
“I am also concerned that the Taoiseach’s reply to my questions regarding the review, including the timeline and its possible Terms of Reference, seem to suggest that he would prefer if people did not ask questions on this topic. This makes me fear that the review is simply an exercise designed to buy some time for the current controversy to blow over before they proceed with the tender that was delivered by Enet on September 18th of this year.
“This would be a grave mistake and one that we have seen in the past when questions are discouraged until it’s too late and the deal is done. I am determined to ask the relevant questions now before it’s too late or we risk finding ourselves back in another costly Tribunal or Inquiry.”
16th October 2018
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