Most people were underwhelmed with 'watery' findings of Smyth report into National #Broadband Plan. Serious question marks hang over an all-too familiar vista of a major communications contract, a Minister and a billionaire businessman – @CathMurphyTD on #SocDems Dáil motion now pic.twitter.com/HMR5o1kaXZ

— Social Democrats (@SocDems) January 22, 2019

That such secrecy & obfuscation surrounds this process should be a concern. That Minister and Dept has pushed through to Court of Appeals rather than accepting a High Court judgement & an Info Commissione ruling to release details on MANs contracts with Enet shld raise eyebrows

— Social Democrats (@SocDems) January 22, 2019

This evening.

Earlier…

From top: Social Democrat co-leaders Catherine Murphy (left) and Roisin Shorthall at Leinster House this morning; Social Democrat motion on the National Broadband Plan

This morning.

The Social Democrats have introduced a Dáil motion (above) – to be debated this evening – calling for a “Government commitment that any National Broadband Plan roll-out will prioritise affordability for homes and businesses in rural Ireland”.

Party co-leader Catherine Murphy TD said:

“People in rural Ireland are desperate for reliable and sustainable broadband but they will only be guaranteed such a service if we get the National Broadband plan contract award process right while we have this chance.

We have to ensure that the process of awarding the contract is totally beyond reproach. There is no point in going ahead with a process if, when the infrastructure is finally in place, an average household cannot afford to connect to the network.”

Deputy Murphy added:

“The problems we are now witnessing with the National Children’s Hospital for example are not the result of something that happened after the project began. They are the result of a laissez-faire approach to the original tendering and contract process.”

Previously: National Broadband Plan on Broadsheet