Pearse Doherty (Sinn Fein)

We need a debate on it. Members of the Labour Party previously raised the topic during Private Members' business but we need a debate, in particular because an international advisory committee has been set up to deal with next generation networks. Countries like Japan are not even looking at next generation, they are looking at next-next generation. We need to catch up fast.

There is a way for us to help regional development. I spoke to the experts who were here last week. In respect of areas like Donegal, we could, with only a couple of hundred thousand euro, test pilot next generation networks. Can one imagine what that could do for places that have 18% unemployment? In light of the growing demands for a debate on the economy, I ask that we deal with the issue of broadband and next generation and that the Minister come to the House to give us an update about what is happening and what can be done in the short term.