Broadband bidder McCourt told Varadkar of ‘excellent’ relationship with Naughten

FoI releases show Taoiseach knew of close relationship with former minister, as PAC prepares to examine national broadband tender process. Hugh O’Connell and Jack Horgan-Jones report

Denis Naughten (right) was forced to resign last month over his meetings with David McCourt Pic: Andrew Downes

Newly released emails reveal how David McCourt, the man heading up the last remaining bid for the troubled national broadband plan (NBP), told the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar of his “excellent” relationship with Denis Naughten, the former communications minister.

Naughten resigned last month following controversy over his engagements with McCourt. Varadkar ordered a review of the NBP procurement process by the independent auditor Peter Smyth. The review was delivered to government last week but ...