Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We have signed the contract for the national broadband plan. That is a €3 billion investment in rural Ireland, probably the biggest ever investment in rural Ireland and perhaps the most significant since rural electrification. With that plan, we are able to connect approximately 100,000 farms, businesses and homes across rural Ireland to high-speed broadband every year. We would love to be able to do it quicker. It will take between five and seven years, unfortunately. I know that is a huge disappointment for people who want and need broadband now but that is as quick as we can do it. If it can be sped up in any way, the money and political will are there.

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