Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)

I cannot help it if the statistics do not suit the Deputy. I have taken this issue very seriously. The statistics show that we are below the average cost in Europe for broadband. If the statistics do not suit the Deputy, I cannot help that. We are very well placed with regard to price because of the policies pursued with MANS, the group and school broadband schemes and the drive that I personally put into this to try to roll out broadband and encourage companies to roll it out to a significant extent.

The Deputy asked what technology will be used to provide broadband services to the last 10% or 15% of the country, that is, at the uneconomic exchanges. The solution will have to be technology neutral. The industry will have to participate in the process of arriving at a solution and the State will have to provide assistance. There are areas where there is no exchange close enough to provide broadband services and there are other areas where, for a variety of reasons, one may have to use satellite or wireless technologies. The solution will be a combination of all the technologies available.

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