RDS reacts to Web Summit document leak

Latest update The RDS have issued a statement today following the release of correspondence between the event organisers of the Web Summit and the Department of the Taoiseach.

The RDS have issued a statement today following the release of correspondence between the event organisers of the Web Summit and the Department of the Taoiseach.

In the statement the RDS said "The Web Summit organisers have full and exclusive responsibility for the installing and managing of the Wi-Fi service at the upcoming Web Summit at the RDS.

The statement went on to say: "Mr Cosgrave has made baseless assertions regarding the RDS approach to Wi-Fi supply in correspondence with Government published by Web Summit today. The RDS wholeheartedly rejects these assertions."

Today, the Web Summit hinted that the event could return to Ireland in future - but only if state agencies are prepared to offer a viable event management plan.

Event organisers have released copies of letters with the Department of the Taoiseach - where civil servants appear to dither about responding to requests for assistance.

The letters show the summit's founder Paddy Cosgrave repeatedly asking for the State's involvement in organising traffic, public transport, hotels and WiFi.

But the first major reply from the Department of the Taoiseach came just as the organisers agreed to move the event to Lisbon in 2016.

This is the Blog where Paddy Cosgrave explained his decision to release the letter copies.

This is why #WebSummit left Ireland https://t.co/Rh3nkd0zcL I encourage people to read and make their own minds up on this one.

— Paddy Cosgrave (@paddycosgrave) October 15, 2015