Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The roll-out of broadband has intensified greatly in the 19 towns that were originally identified. It has continued into the next 38 towns and it will continue to be rolled out in up to 100 towns. There are also community broadband schemes. There has been an enormous acceleration of that activity. Eircom and others had reduced their programme because of losses on the 3G licence issue but they are back in again and have been working with the Minister. There has been a significant intensification of the roll-out programme, particularly into smaller towns. It is a positive story this year. The Minister gave a detailed statement in regard to it. The programme has been accelerated and is on track. A great deal of work was done last year. The same is true of this calendar year.

The economic and social infrastructure operational programme is large. There has been an enormous increase in the intended expenditure. Far more is being spent than was estimated. It is not a question of spending falling behind the projections.

We want to achieve balanced regional development and an equality of expenditure between the southern and eastern region and the BMW region. The BMW region fell behind because of a few major projects. I think I said nine out of 12 projects to Deputy Kenny earlier when I should have said nine out of 18. We have now given priority to the BMW region for starts last year, this year and next year. Once the three projects to which I referred earlier are completed we can continue to do more in the BMW region.

Some of the major projects elsewhere are of equal benefit to the BMW region. Deputy Kenny made the point earlier about some of the roads. The Kinnegad bypass, which is a major project, is of great benefit to everybody in the country, as is the case with most such developments. The Loughrea bypass is under way and the Ballinasloe bypass is in the final stages of planning.

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