Report relied on emails, texts and calls

SHOCKING revelations to an Oireachtas committee were made by the auditor whose report into the National Broadband Plan (NBP) crisis was triggered by minister Denis Naughten’s resignation.

Mr Naughten was in charge of the NBP contract, worth billions, but had to step down after ‘inappropriate’ meetings with the sole bidder, David McCourt. A report by the auditor, Peter Smyth, declared that the process had not been compromised.

The auditor admitted that Mr Naughten’s meetings with Mr McCourt broke the process’s rules – but insisted that Mr McCourt had not canvassed the minister. Mr Smyth admitted that he had not included this finding in his report.

The auditor conceded that he did not interview Mr McCourt or Mr Naughten nor did he take any statements from them under oath. To reach his conclusions, Mr Smyth relied on a voluntary statement from Mr McCourt and emails, text messages and phone calls from both men.