Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister spoke about the national broadband plan, which will be crucial to helping ensure balanced regional development. He stated he will examine the feasibility of accelerating the roll-out of high-speed broadband. In that context, will the Minister consider including in his criteria the chronic underfunding of investment in various sectors throughout the regions, whether that be roads, education, health or whatever? I ask that the Government use that information as part of its criteria for the study. The roll-out of high-speed broadband would help to bridge some of those gaps in investment. Many regions usually find themselves bottom of the list. Taking all that into consideration, will the Minister ensure, or try to ensure, that those regions do not remain at the bottom of the list and that he will broaden the criteria?

My second question is about measuring carbon sequestration in agricultural practice. As the Minister will know, it is crucial in mitigating the more negative aspects of climate change. It is important for the new Common Agricultural Policy, the biodiversity strategy etc. How are we planning to measure it? Teagasc has about 100 signpost farms but my issue is that not many of them are on peatlands or wetlands, which sequester more carbon and, furthermore, do not become saturated. Do we have plans to measure accurately the sequestration of carbon? Who will benefit from this? Will it be the individual farmer or will it be a national benefit?

If it is a national benefit, how do we propose to reward or incentivise farmers who manage their agricultural holdings in such a way as to significantly sequester carbon?

My third question is on the building of a liquified natural gas, LNG, import terminal. It has been reported that Fine Gael has said it does not make sense. Will the Minister confirm this? If he can, will he say that it is not Government policy to apply to the Connecting Europe Facility for funding for something that does not make sense?

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