Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)

I do not really have time to go into broadband even though it is mentioned in my script. The widespread availability of broadband is a major priority for the Government. The Irish market has taken major strides forward since 2000 when there were only 4,000 broadband subscribers, whereas today there are 1.2 million. We are now seeing the beginning of next generation broadband.

The Government has made extensive investment in water infrastructure in recent years and the programme for Government includes a commitment to continue that investment. By its nature, it is highly capital intensive and there is a continuing need for extensive upgrading of distribution and collection networks. It is not proven that one new State agency as proposed by Fine Gael would deliver better value for money. There is no costing in the proposal to show how this new agency would deliver more efficiently or the scale of the charge the State would have to pay to the new agency.

I hope the Fine Gael Party will take these comments in the spirit in which they are made. As with all policy documents made by an Opposition party in mid-term, the party will use whatever time there is to the next election to refine those proposals further. It may be that some of these comments will assist them to do that.

The Government has invested substantially in green energy, broadband and water treatment in recent years and this will provide the necessary infrastructure to improve Ireland's competitiveness, make us a more attractive destination for foreign investment and enable us to return to normal growth rates as soon as the current financial and economic downturn recedes.

I commend the Government motion to the House.