Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The word is equilibrium and it is equality. I agree that fibre broadband is the way to go, if we can get fibre broadband to every household. However, as a rural Deputy I know it will not be possible. With all the Minister's grand plans and whenever he rolls out broadband over the next number of years, it will not reach rural areas. While it might get into the populated areas, the towns and villages, he will not get it up to small lanes three, four or five miles outside these areas which I represent. There are small, rural areas all over Ireland. We are not talking only about Carlow-Kilkenny. We must consider wireless connection, given that fibre will not reach every house. We must consider both fibre and wireless services. Otherwise, people will be left behind and those in rural Ireland will not get the service they need. We are trying to keep rural Ireland alive and keep the country going. Rural Ireland must play its part in the country.

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