Mr. Kieran Christie:

We absolutely share the concerns expressed by Senator Flynn regarding vulnerable children. She mentioned broadband, and of course all of these things are interlinked. She also mentioned rural broadband, and as someone from a rural area, I understand well the difficulties around that. In terms of the lockdown that took place, we learned a lot about the sharp divisions that exist in Irish society, in particular around the area highlighted, namely, technology. We have called on the Minister and the Government to purchase a laptop for every student in the country to ensure that they have the necessary facilities, come what may, this year during the Covid-19 pandemic, to participate in their education. We share the Senator's anxieties on this matter.