Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish the Minister well in his very important new role. I pay particular tribute to the former Minister, Deputy Naughten, and thank him for his help and co-operation. I wish to put on record that I do not care what was eaten or how many dinners or breakfasts there were. I am interested in representing the people living in amber areas who contact my office on a daily basis, pleading for me to help them get broadband connectivity. They do not care who attended dinners or what goes on in this House. They want the Minister to drive this process on by the end of the month.

I am not interested in post mortems or blaming anybody or trying to find faults with the procurement. All I am trying to do is see whether this can be driven on in order that rural people in amber areas all over the country and, most importantly, those in County Kerry, are provided with broadband of acceptable speeds. Whether for leisure, education or other purpose, proper broadband in one's home is as vital as sewerage, electricity and water connections.

The Minister is highly competent and has been around the block. He knows his way around the Houses of the Oireachtas better than anyone else. I ask him to use his ability and the excellent staff of his Department to drive this process on and ensure that people get what they want. I urge Members who are trying to chip away at and undermine the process, for God's sake, not to look behind the process or we will trip over what is in front of us. All we want is progress and I wish the Minister well in that endeavour. I am relying on him to ensure that the evaluation will be completed by the end of the month, the contract will be awarded and work will commence in early 2019.

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