Frank O'Rourke (Kildare North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On page 38 of the programme for Government, there is a commitment to roll out broadband to every home and business in the country. That is not happening. The increased provision referenced in the statistics quoted by the Minister and Department is due to private operators providing this much-needed service which all Members agree is no longer a luxury but, rather, a necessity for businesses, education, people who want to work from home and so on. As Deputy McLoughlin mentioned, the timeline for the national contract going to tender is critical. I have tabled parliamentary questions in that regard but the answers from the Department are non-committal. This is a real priority. If the Government is serious about taking the lead on this, it must get the national broadband plan rolled out and the contract put out to tender as a matter of urgency. That is not happening. Will the Taoiseach update the House on the matter?

See this speech in context