Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)

The Minister for Finance, Deputy Cowen, made little reference to this yesterday.

This may be the Government's last budget. On what is perhaps the key issue facing humanity, the need to secure and sustain energy supply, the Minister for Finance had little or nothing to say. The budget contributed nothing to the issues of energy policy and climate change; there was merely a sense of flat disappointment. This represents a total failure to meet the challenges of our times. The budget is a damp squib in this respect.

A significant proportion of the population, perhaps as much as 20%, is hopelessly badly served in terms of the availability of broadband. Wireless services are available in some locations but they are incredibly expensive. I recently addressed a public meeting in Stamullen, in Deputy Johnny Brady's constituency, where I heard that nobody in the vicinity has access to broadband. This is also the constituency of the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. The main incumbent seeks at least €200 million to extend broadband availability to the entire country. The Estimates provide €10 million for this purpose, leaving a deficit of €190 million. The Minister for Finance, however, has allocated zilch for this critical infrastructural development.

In general, yesterday was a disappointing, flat day in respect of the communications, marine and natural resources portfolio. It may be the last time this Administration will have the opportunity to allocate resources in this or any other area.

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