Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Mar gheall go raibh an tAire ina Aire Stáit le freagracht as an nGaeltacht, tá a fhios agam go dtuigeann sé go maith an easpa infreastruchtúir atá i gConamara. I know, from the Deputy Chambers' time as Minister of State for the Gaeltacht, he travelled around the Gaeltacht areas. He travelled extensively around Connemara. That gives the Minister good insight as to the real issues in terms of that basic infrastructure piece in Connemara.

People have now been almost two weeks without access to telecommunications. They are being told that they do not even have a date as to when their broadband and telephone lines will be restored. That is ridiculous. This is not the first time it has happened. It also happened in November. It happened for two to three weeks in parts of Connemara as well.

What I want to see, and what I hope the Minister will take seriously - I think he will - is investment in buninfreastuchtúr or basic infrastructure, that is, the telephone poles, the masts, etc. Serious investment is needed. It will take a long time. Such investment will give rise to a longer term gain, but we need to have a plan in place. Will the Minister he be putting a plan in place for that?

See this speech in context