Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The last thing we want to do, especially in County Louth, is to drive people away from the countryside. It is bad enough having local needs and people not being able to build on their land along with everything else. It is very frustrating. People come to me knowing there are households and companies down the road from them that have broadband installed and ask me what is going on. I understand the Minister of State has said Louth is one of the best for connections, but to me it is not for the simple reason that there still many black spots. I know the Minister of State hates that term. How can I go back to those people and convince them to stick it out? Many of these people living in rural Ireland are talking about going back to work because it is too expensive to stay in rural Ireland and it is costing them a lot of money. The Minister of State is aware there is an energy crisis ongoing. When I go back to my constituency office on Friday, what will I tell the people who ask me what they are supposed to do if they do not have broadband in their area?

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