Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will take up the Wild Atlantic Way with the Minister of State another time because some of the islands feel highly aggrieved that they were very much sidestepped. That is another debate. We have to accept that islands and islanders are different. My experience is that islanders are dedicated to their community and want to stay on the islands. Broadband is a major step forward.

The Minister of State mentioned 2020, which is another five years down the line. The Blasket Islands are a glorified museum today and we do not want any more of our vibrant islands to lose their population. Eir has begun a nationwide competition to find the next Belcarra and is looking for a village or community to connect to fibre broadband. It involves an investment of €750,000 and one of the offshore islands has applied. Why is the same type of investment and encouragement not in place for all islands? A competition which one island may or may not win should not be the solution.

I ask the Minister of State to ensure the islanders are engaged with directly through the national broadband scheme.

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