Mr. Michael O'Mahony:

I will reply to that first. We are talking about sustainability. We and Mr. Jerh O'Donoghue have discussed this issue with young people as well. Broadband is of fundamental importance to the life of rural Ireland. Without it, we will not have employment or young people wishing to live there or return. It might be a bit controversial to say it but, despite the talk, post offices are of the 19th century. We need broadband because that is what will maintain jobs in rural Ireland.

My second point might be slightly off topic. The South Kerry Development Partnership is involved in a European programme on community-based sustainable energy. If we look at the resources of rural Ireland, there is agriculture and tourism. Energy is another possible resource that could be huge. We must enable communities to have ownership of energy resources so that they are not all privately owned and often offshore owned by multinationals. A specific request is that community-based organisations which are able to come up with a reasonable and feasible proposal in the area of renewable energy would be prioritised for grid connection. It is a very practical thing.

I already mentioned the de minimisrules, which basically discriminate against effective organisations at community level. We have already discussed the need for core funding to provide for continuity and the expertise that is necessary in these days of governance requirements to manage effectively an organisation which is providing significant employment and huge net benefit to the State.