Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)

I thank the Minister for that answer. I am glad that engagement is under way. He is probably aware that we launched our pre-budget submission this week. Broadband infrastructure is a very obvious absence from the Government's capital expenditure programme. For the purposes of developing broadband and wind energy infrastructure, and as part of our capacity to provide stimulus for jobs, we encourage the Government to use every lever and explore every opportunity with the European Investment Bank and with any other international institution that can assist. Earlier the Minister made the point that stimulus would be great but we simply cannot find the cash for it. This underlines the point that there are partners who will provide money in a flexible manner and at good interest rates, which can facilitate investment in infrastructure such as broadband.

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