Johnny Guirke (Meath West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Page 84 of the programme for Government refers to broadband. Never has it been more evident than during Covid how important it is to roll out the national broadband plan. The programme for Government refers to facilitating remote working and innovation opportunities. In large areas of north-west Meath in my Meath West constituency, including Oldcastle, Athboy, Ballivor, Kildalkey, Delvin, Collinstown and Castlepollard, broadband is very poor, with little or no access. This makes it nearly impossible for local businesses to trade or conduct their day-to-day business. It is impossible for people to work from home. Leaving certificate students found it nearly impossible to do their school work during Covid. The national broadband plan was signed in April 2017 with a guide of seven years. We are nearly halfway through this plan and we have no definitive timeline for when it will be implemented in all rural areas of the country. Will the roll-out plan begin any time soon in Meath West? Businesses are moving out of rural Ireland because of this.

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