Dáil debates

Wednesday, 15 February 2017

Confidence in Government: Motion

 

8:55 pm

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

We are all here at the gift of our constituents, so I intend in my limited time to address the people of Roscommon-Galway who elected me to represent them and their needs. I also want to speak to the wider population of rural Ireland about my determination to ensure that the economic and social future of rural communities is not put in jeopardy by political uncertainty. Life in rural Ireland can improve under this Government and through my work and commitment as Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment.

The failure by previous governments to assist provincial towns in rural Ireland has come at an economic and social cost to this country. To overcome the isolation and to challenge the sense of powerlessness in homes and parishes across rural Ireland, our children must be able to do their homework and small enterprises and family farms must be able to do their business. The national broadband plan will do that. It will put every placename on the digital map. It will also give every parish the means to be the hub of a living community. As a member of this Government, I am determined to deliver broadband. Rural Ireland cannot afford for this plan to be placed in jeopardy and this Government must be allowed to get on with delivering it.

Similarly the Government's action plan for rural Ireland - the first ever such plan - with clear timelines, supported by a €60 million investment to revitalise our towns and villages with the creation of 135,000 jobs, has to be allowed to be followed through on. If not, I fear the damage to rural Ireland will be irreparable.

I commend the confidence motion to the House.

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