Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Historically, broadband has been underprovided in rural areas. That said, the programme for Government is committed to rolling out the national broadband contract as agreed by the previous Government. The indications are that the company may be in a position to accelerate some dimensions of that plan. The objective is to get broadband rolled out as quickly as possible. The Minister will be looking at hubs, for example, in certain locations that may facilitate people in rural areas to get quicker and more effective access and greater connectivity. To answer the Deputy's question, I cannot promise him something immediately, but it is very high on the Government's agenda to roll out the broadband plan as fast as possible and to do so in a way that would give communities quicker access than may have been previously envisaged.

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