Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As part of the budgetary process for 2020 and beyond, I will engage with Deputies Cowen and Michael McGrath on the matter, as I am required to do.

I repeat that it is my intention that no other projects will be affected as a result of the decision to move ahead with the national broadband plan. There are other reasons beyond any decision on the national broadband plan that projects can be delayed. A project can proceed in a different way than anticipated due to the planning process, decisions taken by Departments or the time required for the tendering process. All those factors can and do arise. I reiterate that it is not my intention to change other projects as a result of going ahead with this decision on the broadband plan.

The Deputy asked me to put my cards on the table. At a certain point in time, Fianna Fáil will need to do the same on the national broadband plan. The issue I have grappled with is that, if one is committed to 100% coverage and the use of fibre optic technology, and wants it to happen on time, this is, on balance, the only way of doing so. If the Deputy feels differently, as is his right, he will need to explain what his alternative is at a certain point in time.

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