Alex White (Dublin South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Intensive work is continuing in the Department to develop full details of the intervention strategy I have outlined. The outcome of the mapping exercise to which I referred will be published for public consultation in quarter four of this year. There are two items. The mapping exercise will be available in quarter four of this year and the comprehensive implementation strategy to which I referred will be published in early 2015 for public consultation. It is important for this to be done. Stakeholder consultation on the implementation of the intervention has recently been launched. It is important to seek views on the criteria to be used in finalising the locations throughout the country.

I agree with what the Deputy has said about the importance of this area. He said it was vital and I agree with him. It is my intention to progress this ambitious project and it is a key priority for me and the Department. We need to do this to address the connectivity challenges that exist and that cannot and realistically will not be addressed by the commercial sector and which, therefore, must be addressed through state intervention. I am committed to ensuring this happens.

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