Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

I am familiar with Deputy McCarthy's opinions on this critical connectivity issue because he has canvassed my position on it several times. He is right, not only in terms of the importance of job creation, but in terms of the better provision of services locally.

Regarding the Deputy's particular point about Skibbereen, there is a difference between the multi-fibre optic cable around the town being dormant, yet lit, and being accessed by local businesses. I would happily facilitate the Deputy if his wish is for local business people to meet and discuss with e|net how they might make optimum use of the existing service.

People have criticised the previous Government for the major expenditure of approximately €170 million on providing metropolitan area networks, MANs, around the country, given that half of them are still not lit, but I am not one of the critics. The expenditure was a valuable addition to necessary infrastructure. Even if it takes time for the capacity of the MANs to be exploited by local businesses, it will still be valuable.

The decision to roll out industrial strength broadband to second level schools is one of the most important decisions the Government will make. The impact on teaching and learning is remarkable and energising. In terms of the future digital economy and the knowledge society, we could not take a more valuable step towards equipping our young people for the future or, through the use of digital enterprises, providing the kind of employment the Deputy is advocating.

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