Fine Gael is failing to manage large infrastructure projects at a massive cost

Fine Gael is failing to manage large infrastructure projects at a massive cost - Tóibín

Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín has stated that “Fine Gael is failing to manage large infrastructure projects at a serious cost to citizens. The impact of this cost is the loss of billions of euro in taxes and the lack of vital infrastructure. The overrun of just the National Broadband Plan and the Children’s Hospital is likely to be well north of €3 billion and both plans have been dragging on for years.

“Ireland is fast becoming a city state. Dublin is overheating, a third of the country is turning into a sprawling commuter belt and many rural and regional areas are emptying out. A driver in this damaging phenomena is the complete lack of infrastructure such as broadband in many parts of the country.

“Fine Gael started the National Broadband Plan process started in 2012 and yet procurement is still not complete. The process is cumbersome and slow and the technology is advancing at a faster speed. The process was so complex that two of the bidders pulled out. Immediately questions should have been raised with regards the business case of the tender. The proposed tender is getting radically more expensive while much of the customer base is being serviced by private suppliers.

“Any tendering process that has one bidder is by definition suspect in my view - the supplier power is far too great. The size of the tender rules out competition of smaller suppliers, many of them potentially Irish.

“The last remaining consortium is reminiscent of “Trigger’s Broom” the components have changed so much. It’s questionable whether it would pass the pre-qualification questionnaire , which potential bidders had to submit.

“Aontú believe we need this technology and we need it fast. However we do not believe that this project is viable. The size of the tender should be broken up to make it more accessible to more bidders and manageable to the government. Also the broadband solution is going to have to be a tailored one. Different geography and topography will necessitate different solutions.”

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The Irish political system is radically broken

In Ireland the vast majority of elected representatives put a finger in the air to check which way the political wind is blowing. They have one eye on their leaders – seeking brownie points – and another eye keeping their seat safe. If elected reps shut up and do as they’re told, they are promoted; if they stand up for what they believe in, they are demoted. No wonder we have the political class we have. No wonder one point one billion euro is being buried in a hole under the National Children’s Hospital and that Stormont is in stalemate.

Throughout Ireland, many people are now afraid to say what they feel, many are afraid to respectfully engage on a range of different topics. Many feel there is a new censorship and a new political correctness in Ireland, that opposition to the establishment is being deleted.

Respectful opposition is not the enemy. Respectful opposition is a critical element of a functional democracy. Aontú will have the backbone to stand up, without fear, for you.