Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Communications Timmy Dooley TD is questioning the validity of the National Broadband Plan tender process after it was confirmed this week that estimates of the cost of the plan had fallen short by €1 billion.
Deputy Dooley said, “It is incredible that despite years of analysis and a number of reports, the consultants hired by the Department of Communications as procurement advisors provided an estimated cost for the project, which turned out to be €1bn less than the eventual estimated cost of the plan.
“KPMG, which designed the tendering process, underestimated the cost of the plan by around 50%. The Department then tasked KPMG with reappraising its own work, which had been so wide of the mark in the first place.
“This latest revelation is just further evidence of the serious issues which existed in the tendering process and which were never rectified.
“Fianna Fáil has consistently raised concerns about the tendering process for the National Broadband Plan. The information provided by KPMG is yet further confirmation that the tendering process was seriously flawed”.