Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)

I have made no secret of my impatience and frustration at the slow commencement of a broadband roll-out throughout the country. We were left behind in 2002. There is no doubt about that and the Government recognised that fact at that stage. It introduced the MANS programme, the schools broadband programme and the group broadband scheme to try to roll out and provide broadband in regional and provincial areas. On the issue of the commencement of the roll-out of broadband, I have frequently said I am disappointed. However, I am delighted to report that we have turned the corner on this issue. I set a target just over two years ago when we had just over 56,000——

See this speech in context