Alex White (Dublin South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Unfortunately, it is not the kind of initiative that simply passing a law will make happen. While I agree with the Deputy that this is urgent and important - we can all agree with that - I am aware that the passing of legislation, of itself, will not make this happen. The Deputy knows it is more complex than that. I am not sure what precisely he is proposing when he suggests there should be a public service obligation in respect of broadband. On which entity would such an obligation rest? I do not know precisely what is being suggested. The Deputy has rightly taken a close interest in this issue, as I have. Almost every day, I make an inquiry in my Department about this critically important issue and discuss it with my officials. The Deputy is right to say that it is of enormous importance for communities, individual citizens, business, tourism and a range of activities, particularly in rural Ireland.

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