Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As someone who sought this debate to try to shine a light on the status of the national broadband plan, given what has been revealed over the last couple of days, I certainly do not believe a discussion is relevant at this stage as there is no Minister here to address it. I feel great sympathy for Deputy Naughten given the decision he has had to take today. Nobody on this side of the House called for his resignation, notwithstanding the temptation that new politics presents. We sought to shine a light on a process that, as far as my party and I are concerned, is fatally flawed and fatally wounded.

That came about as a result of the withdrawal of two of the main bidders in the early part of this year and late last year. It was on this that I wanted to focus attention, to try to ensure that at some stage a contract with the capacity to deliver broadband to 542,000 homes would be signed. Deputy Naughten recognised the priority of the Taoiseach in his resigning words; it is about spin. It is about a head, and it is not about providing broadband to 542,000 homes. The Taoiseach had an objective, namely, to ensure there was a contract signing with hard hats and high vis vests, something with which we have become all too familiar. That is his approach to providing homes to the countless thousands who suffer greatly. Unfortunately, form has won out over substance.

I have to say in Deputy Naughten's favour that he is a man of substance. He certainly made mistakes along the way, and he and I have battled in this House on Question Time, Leaders' Questions and on other occasions over the approaches he took. However, I know he is a man motivated by delivery. He has not been successful. He may not have had the support of the Government. He may not have had the necessary funds to roll out broadband services. It is a disappointing day for him and his family, and it is a political blow to his constituency. However, it does not solve the problem. In allowing the House to go into a period of reflection, perhaps we should have the Taoiseach in the House before the day is out, or tomorrow, Monday or Tuesday, to explain how he intends to breathe life back into the national broadband plan. This is not about a political head or showboating. Nobody from this side of this House or from my party sought or expected this. I wish Deputy Naughten well in his career.

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