Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Government's plan for the next generation of broadband is set out on page 46 of the programme for Government. The House discussed this matter last week. Will the Taoiseach explain why a press conference is being held today by the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Denis Naughten, to outline the latest developments in the national broadband plan? A press conference is being held outside the House and, as a result, we cannot put substantial questions to the Minister that would allow us to understand why, since 2012, successive Governments of which the Taoiseach has been a member have failed to roll out broadband to the 500,000 or so households throughout the State that are not provided for by commercial companies. Will the Taoiseach indicate to the House whether he is aware that at least one of the three companies that was about to bid for the national broadband plan has potentially not submitted a tender?

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