Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I certainly welcome the Government initiative announced in April on rural broadband and the State-led intervention. It is an issue that has come up repeatedly over the past number of years and certainly during the most recent canvas, particularly in the most rural areas. However, this issue was not limited to such areas, as companies with inadequate services were also identified in places on the outskirts of Galway city, such as Bushypark. In a Dublin context, this is comparable with a company in Ranelagh, Firhouse or somewhere similar not having adequate high-speed broadband. If one goes further afield to areas that are only eight to ten miles from Galway city, such as Tullykyne, Knockferry or Rosscahill, one finds that private companies have been unable to provide adequate cover. Is the Minister confident of approval or are hiccups likely in respect of European Union approval under the State aid rules? When does the Minister believe construction of the first tranche will take place? Time is of the essence.

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