Naughten in clear after broadband fiasco probe
Minister ‘didn’t influence’ bid process
Catherine Murphy and, right, Denis Naughten 1.2 million people in rural Ireland waiting to be connected to high-speed broadband.”
But Opposition politicians were damning of the report, claiming it further undermined the “hopelessly compromised” plan.
The Social Democrats’ co-leader Catherine Murphy told the Irish Mirror: “It’s very difficult for the then-minister of Communications to credibly argue he knew nothing about the process, about what had proceeded with the previous two bidders dropping out, knew nothing about how the process was going to be handled and therefore wouldn’t have been able to give guidance to the one remaining bidder.
“I don’t think that comes across as credible.”
People Before Profit’s Brid Smyth called for proven utilities operator ESB to be brought in to complete the job.
She added: “This process is finished and has cost the State David Mccourt more than €18million so far. Awarding the contact at this stage when all other companies have dropped out is the worst option and could further delay and unravel the prospect of rural broadband.”
When asked last night if Mr Naughten could return, a Government spokesman said: “There is no vacancy at Cabinet.
“The Taoiseach considers it a partial or qualified vindication. As the report finds, the private meetings with Mr Mccourt were a cause for serious concern.” FORMER Communications Minister Denis Naughten has been cleared over his role in the national broadband fiasco.
His free pass comes despite details of secret dinners he had in Dublin’s Merrion Hotel and the private home of lead bidder David Mccourt being confirmed in an independent report released yesterday.
These were among 18 meetings Mr Naughten attended at which the entrepreneur or members of the Granahan Mccourt consortium were present.
There are no minutes or records of what was talked about for two private meetings and one 12 minute phone call.
Mr Mccourt attended at least 12 of the gatherings.
While report author Peter Smyth was critical of this, he concluded the discussions did not influence the decisions taken in the National Broadband Plan procurement process.
He said: “The meetings between the former minister and Mr Mccourt gave cause for concern as they suggest an ongoing engagement outside of any formal need for them to engage with each other.
“I am satisfied neither had the opportunity to influence the conduct of the tender process in favour of Granahan Mccourt or otherwise.”
In a statement yesterday, Mr Naughten said: “I welcome the conclusion of Mr Smyth’s report not only for myself but for the