Marc MacSharry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for the response on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan. I appreciate this is not her direct area of concern but I mentioned specific areas in my earlier contribution. They include Cornhill Business Park and Mr. Philip Rooney, who asked me to raise this matter. They also take in Mr. William Doogan of MCM Spirits and Liquers at Erneside Business Park. Councillor Justin Warnock raised the issue of the Four Masters national school in Kinlough and the Strandhill community development association at Strandhill.

I would like a specific answer on the areas and I am sure officials can go back on the record to note the locations. I ask that these areas be included in the broadband connection points delivery project that would see connectivity this year. The thought of being in years two, three, four, five, six or seven will undermine the potential of these areas to deliver for their communities. The potential is there, there is expertise in local communities and there is willingness and determination to do it. We need to provide these people with the tools they require. There is the potential to do that this year with the broadband connection points project so I formally ask that the Minister of State arrange for the Department to reply to me specifically on those areas. In other words, the colour-coding on the website map referred to by the Minister of State should be changed from amber to blue. This would see the areas prioritised, which would be of great benefit to these communities.

I appreciate the national broadband plan is being implemented. Many of us had difficulties with how the contract was put together as well as its inordinate cost. It is what it is. It is now signed and we all look forward to having these 537,000 premises connected. Naturally, as one of only four Deputies in the House to represent not just two counties but part of two other counties, I am in part of the country in the north west that is on the periphery of the periphery. The area has been undermined by generations of neglect by Governments of all parties and none.

There is now an opportunity and I ask the Minister of State to use her good offices to influence the officials in the Department dealing with communications to respond specifically about the areas I mentioned being included in the broadband connection points delivery project before the end of the year.

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