Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister of State. This motion is self-congratulatory. Senator Quinn said it is a bit complacent and Senator Ross said it is bland, but I believe it constitutes an arrogant proverbial pat on the back for the Government. It "welcomes the various Government interventions in broadband which have led to improved choice, quality and prices of services and the national broadband scheme which will make broadband available in those parts of the country not currently served".

The Minister of State is in touch with his brief and I believe he and Senator Boyle were honest, if not somewhat aspirational, in their comments on broadband. In spite of this, the reality is that the Government's record on broadband rates has been appalling. Since 2002, Ireland has been at the lower end of the scale in terms of penetration and speed. To suggest otherwise is ludicrous.