Eugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The programme for Government states:

One of the biggest challenges facing rural Ireland is to bridge the digital divide with urban areas ... we will guarantee the delivery of next-generation broadband to every household and business in the country. No town, village or parish will be left behind under the National Broadband Plan ... 85% of premises in Ireland will have access to high speed broadband within two years, with 100% access as soon as possible up to at most 5 years.

That is now ridiculous. None of that has been honoured nor can it be honoured. I have one simple question for the Tánaiste. I remind the Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, that this is not a laughing matter; it is a very serious matter for those living in rural areas. Where stands our broadband plan? What answer will the Tánaiste give that I can take to the people, particularly those in rural areas who desperately need this?

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