Alex White (Dublin South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

What we want to do is approach it in a way that is technically feasible and economically viable. As such, we want to hear from the bidders what are their offerings in respect of it. That will be part of the bidding process.

I thank the Deputy for what he said about the digital strategy for schools, which is very progressive. My colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, is launching it this morning. I would have been with her but for the fact that I am here with committee, which I am delighted to be. My Department has had an extensive involvement in the project with the Department of Education and Skills. As colleagues will know, we have also been involved previously in a national roll-out of 100 MB to post-primary schools across the country in a very successful project. We see the necessity of primary schools having the same access, but it is something we must deal with in the context of the project we are engaged in and which we have just been discussing. Education is an area where huge value can be derived from high-speed broadband. We recognise that and will ensure that it is provided.

We have been progressing the Galway-Mayo project. There are some issues although not by way of unnecessary delay. There are some technical and legal questions we are nailing down at present. I am very conscious of the importance of the project.

As the Deputy knows, Bord Gáis Éireann constructed 130 km of telecommunications duct on our behalf alongside the gas pipeline from Galway to Mayo, and there is another spur to the outskirts of Castlebar and Westport. We are on to it. We do not want to see it delayed, as the Chairman will be glad to hear, and we will progress it as soon as we can.

The Deputy mentioned online trading. The voucher scheme is working very well. There has been a great take-up and huge interest in it.

I agree with him about the Skibbereen project, and I was happy to attend its launch in August. The Deputy is right. It is a very good example of what can be achieved elsewhere in the country. It is a real beacon. I wish them well and we will certainly want to assist them in any way we can.

On the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI, there is a quality assurance and disciplinary process in place. It is managed by the SEAI, not by the Department. I am advised this process is backed up by an inspections regime that ensures that a minimum of 10% of the works carried out under the programme are inspected for quality control purposes - there cannot be an inspection of it all - and that each contractor who performs work on the schemes is covered. If the Deputy has concerns they should be relayed to the SEAI, but we do not administer the scheme directly in the Department.

On Whitegate, I met with the owners and management of the Whitegate refinery. It is a decision for them. It is a fully commercial body in terms of that refinery. I have met both the local management and the US management on it. It would be my earnest hope and desire that they would continue past the cut-off point in the middle of 2016, which they have contracted to do.

There are no proposals for any State investment or supports in regard to Whitegate but I assure the Deputy it is something of which we are very conscious. It is a very important employer, to say nothing about the strategic implications of Whitegate, and we hope the decisions the company will make next year will be positive.