Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

I do not know where Deputy Coveney got the 18 months figure. I believe I said earlier that the scheme would be operational by the second quarter of 2008, which would be less than six months away. The group broadband scheme was fully implemented in terms of processing all the applications and providing grants in 2004 and 2005. Based on the experience of that scheme it was decided that the way to ensure it really covered all areas was to move to this national scheme, which I regard as a positive development.

When on holidays in Inishbofin this summer I experienced a very good broadband scheme in a very isolated rural island, which indicates that companies exist and group broadband schemes are operating providing it to rural areas. We need to ensure universal availability and then move up to make it higher speed and lower cost, which is the key development I will be pursuing in the consumers' interest.

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