Alex White (Dublin South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I understand the Senator's views and agree with them very much. I also agree with his general points on what is often known as the digital divide. This is an equity issue as much as anything else; it is a matter relevant to business, education, families and the efficient administration of public services. In Dingle - as in other locations around the country - broadband is an important and valuable asset for cultural activity and pursuits linked to tourism.

I have notified Members of the House of the timelines and I will keep them updated. By the middle of this year we will have the full intervention strategy for the State scheme. We will apply for state aid approval in the European Union in the summer and I hope it will go to tender by December 2015 in order to get a bidder or bidders in place so contractor contracts can be offered next year. They will then have to build the infrastructure, which is equivalent to 100,000 km of road. We know how long it takes for roads and other big infrastructure projects to be completed. I am anxious that this be expedited and done as quickly as possible.