Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not disagree with any of the Deputy's points on ensuring that we provide mobile phone or broadband coverage on the islands. This debate is important because the national broadband plan will go to public procurement by the end of this year. As part of that intervention, it will target the 30% of Ireland, including the islands, that is not commercially viable. The winning bidder or bidders in the procurement process will be in a position to provide that service. No decision has been made on where we start or which areas should get broadband first. It is important to have that debate and this is an opportunity to highlight the potential of the islands.

As the Deputy knows, the islands are an integral part of the Wild Atlantic Way along the west coast. Given that hundreds of thousands of people intend to visit the area and will need broadband services when they are on holiday, we should include it in the debate. It is an important area which needs priority broadband intervention.

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