Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)

I would like to ask the Taoiseach about his comments on planning in Balbriggan and the point that he had no idea of numbers. Is the Department of Education and Science represented on the infrastructural educational committee? I understand it is not. Does the Taoiseach believe the Department should be represented on that committee? Many rural schools are being left high and dry because resources are going into the Dublin area.

The Taoiseach said the broadband market is growing but the key issue is accessibility and availability. The MANs project is being shelved for 15 months for towns such as Castlerea and Boyle. Have discussions taken place, or will they take place, between the three Departments of Transport, Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Communications, Energy and Natural Resources on trying to bring the semi-State broadband networks together under one operator to provide the type of competition needed and ensure we can have accessibility throughout the country?

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