Joanna Byrne (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate it is early in the budget process, but this is to the fore with us as well so it would be prudent of us to raise it.

If I may move on to the Minister and the national broadband plan, there is talk of an additional €80 million required. Can the Minister offer any clarity around that figure or what kind of funding is envisaged that can go into the national broadband plan? Before he comes in, I will even go one step further and ask if it is contractually viable to engage with broadband providers to contribute towards the cost of the national broadband plan to see it over the line, or is the onus falling solely on the Government in that regard?