Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I do not have to impress upon the Minister, as a Deputy from rural Ireland, the urgency and necessity of this. It is vitally important to my county from an economic, social and cultural viewpoint and will contribute greatly to the development of the area.

Children in doing their homework are trying to access information. People working in high tech companies can now work from home and companies are anxious that they do so, but they do not have that opportunity. In addition, many people I know are using medical devices that are connected to hospitals via broadband. It is critical for them that they have access, but if they do not have broadband in their area, they have to to to the hospital. It would be so beneficial to have it. This is as significant a project as electrification was in the 1950s. I wish the Minister well and hope he can achieve his goal to have it provided for all homes in the county by 2020, but there are some suggestions that as a result of the recent decision, it could be 2023 before it happens. Perhaps the Minister might clarify the position.

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