Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The programme for Government is very clear about the need for the implementation of the national broadband plan. A report published today makes it clear that certain parts of rural Ireland have broadband speeds 36 times lower than those available in the capital. That is a further illustration of the two-tiered nature of economic activity in the country and the degree to which the last Government dropped the ball in respect of rural connectivity. Longford, Mayo, Roscommon and Leitrim are counties that have been forced to accept speeds of 2 Mbps when users in Dublin are accessing broadband at well in excess of 30 or 40 Mbps. The Taoiseach can take it that is having a negative impact on small to medium-sized businesses. There is a long way to go to connect rural communities effectively. I recall talking to officials at the time of the formation of the Government with Independents and all of the public tender issues and so on. The timeline keeps being postponed. Will the Taoiseach confirm that the Government has the capacity and will he indicate to us when he sees the programme for Government’s commitment in place?

I am delighted that Deputy Moran is alongside the Taoiseach. I am not sure whether I missed something or did he get promoted? I know he tossed a coin with the Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Canney, who might be away now.

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