Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

Notwithstanding the Minister of State's explanation for the slowdown in the dotcom sector, does he agree that the real reasons for the slow provision and take-up of broadband were Government inertia and ineptitude, its failure to recognise that the situation had changed, the lack of investment in the infrastructure and the lack of a driving force in the Department? The dividends drawn from the infrastructure as a result of the new situation should have been re-invested in the infrastructure instead of the other way around. Does the Minister of State accept that the Department, which should have been the driving force, failed to recognise the danger signs and let matters run along?

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