Weather the storm safely

The review into the procurement process for the National Broadband Plan has found neither former minister Denis Naughten nor businessman David Mccourt influenced the process.

In his report, Peter Smyth said the fact numerous meetings with took place outside the process does not mean it has been “tainted”.

In the Dail yesterday Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin noted that the procurement process has been “mired in controversy”.

The rules were put in place following the scandal after the awarding of the second mobile phone licence to Denis O’brien’s Esat Digifone and the damning Moriarty Tribunal findings against then Minister Michael Lowry.

While the review exonerates both Mr Naughten and Mr Mccourt it admits it cannot be sure the tendering process “was not discussed at the meetings” because there were no minutes kept.

Because of the way this process was handled it is now wide open to legal challenges which could further delay the rollout of rural broadband. STORM Diana is the fourth one of the season to batter us, bringing gale force winds and torrential rain.

And the alerts in place aren’t just for the sake of it – an Orange Warning is something that shouldn’t be sniffed at.

Flash floods and destructive gusts are just a selection of the things you should be cautious about today.

Met Eireann, AA Roadwatch and Dublin Fire Brigade have all warned of the dangers.

Don’t become another statistic of those tragically injured or killed by inclement weather, especially not this close to Christmas.