Calls for inter-departmental broadband ‘turf war’ clarity in government

Fianna Fáil has called on the government to put aside an inter-departmental “turf war” and clarify which department has ultimate responsibility for the National Broadband Plan after recent comments added to confusion over the issue.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s decision to allocate responsibility for the provision of rural broadband to Rural Affairs Minister Heather Humphreys led to confusion as to whether her department or the Department for Communications had ultimate responsibility for the plan.

Newly appointed Communications Minister Denis Naughten sought to clarify the issue this week, claiming “the weight of two departments is being brought to bear on the plan”.