Doubts have been raised over the future of the €1 billion National Broadband Plan after a major component of the bidding consortium, John Laing plc, withdrew from the process.

Sinn Féin's Communications spokesperson, Brian Stanley TD, described the tender for the project as "chaotic".

"The Granhan McCourt Consortium was the sole entity in place to rollout the broadband plan. The consortium consisted of SSE which withdrew in July," he said.

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"Now the Minister said today the final tender has been received, but another major component of the consortium, John Laing plc, has withdrawn.

"As a major financial backer to the project is no longer in the consortium, we have to ask what is the ability of this entity to deliver this project, which will cost a €1 billion or more, to connect 542,000 households across the state."

Mr Stanley concluded: "We are no closer today to knowing when the rollout will begin, or even if the National Broadband Plan can survive through the tender and this Government have no Plan B to deliver Broadband to 542,000 households."

(LM)