Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

My question relates to the schools broadband initiative. We have schools that do not have any broadband connection. As the Minister outlined in his reply, broadband connectivity is of importance. A school in Milford in north Cork has no access to broadband which puts the pupils at significant disadvantage as they progress to second level and beyond. It is vitally important that we examine the issue.

Nothing is as divisive at the moment as broadband connectivity. One sees in the property pages of newspapers that houses in rural areas use broadband connectivity as a selling point. It is a great advantage to have it. Heretofore, it was important for working from home but as technology has moved on it has become essential.

ComReg regulation 11/72 is complete gobbledygook. It has allowed telecommunications companies to sell bundles at a higher price to rural dwellers compared to urban dwellers. The matter must be examined.

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