Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The real losers in this process are the people of rural Ireland, particularly those who do not have broadband and may now never get it. These same people would also have lost out if the Government had proceeded with the current plan in that the Irish people would have ended up paying through the nose for a system that probably would not work. I agree with previous speakers that the Government needs to implement a rural broadband system that will be in the ownership of the people and will be for the people, not the wealthy and other individuals who have a direct line to Ministers.

The Taoiseach stated that he met Mr. McCourt in New York. Is it likely that over the next few days we will hear of further meetings between Mr. McCourt and the Taoiseach and other Ministers in this Government, which appears to be the way in terms of the broadband process? The Taoiseach stood by former Minister, Deputy Denis Naughten, when he said that he had no part in the discussions on the matter and that his officials were making the decisions. We all know that is not how the system works. A secondary school student knows that a Minister is a corporation sole and that he or she is responsible for everything that his or her Department does. However, the Taoiseach and his Government appear not to know that. We need a process the people of rural Ireland can stand by, one that looks after and protects them. Unfortunately, this Government will not do that.

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