Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. In regard to his statement that Ireland is at the top of the class in this area, that is the same response I was given to a similar question 15 years ago, although not by Deputy McHugh.

I want to emphasise the necessity of the completion of the plan at an early date rather than over a lengthy period. It is possible to have an industry providing lots of jobs in a rural area where there is no demand or pressure for housing or commercial development, provided there is good broadband service in the area.

Despite our best efforts to date, the provision of the broadband service we lack has not manifested itself yet. Could the Minister of State outline any initiatives that could be taken, apart from the national broadband plan, to co-ordinate efforts and to mark it in terms of achieving particular objectives along the way in order to make this a reality as quickly as possible?

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