Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

I welcome the opportunity to discuss this Broadband Infrastructure Bill as initiated by Senator Ross. I commend him on allowing us the opportunity to discuss a crucial infrastructure for the future of our country. I regret that I cannot accept the Bill or support it. While I very much agree with the ambitions set out in the legislation and the ambition that Ireland sets itself to have the very best and most modern broadband infrastructure, I cannot agree with the means suggested. I will set out in simple detail, if I can in the time allotted, why that is the case.

I will take Senator O'Toole's comment that we are looking at the development of two new quangos, that is, quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisations.