Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Could the Leader invite the Minister for Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources to come to the House at some point to discuss the delay affecting the national broadband scheme? As everyone knows, access to and quality of broadband are critical for business in rural Ireland. Never mind job creation, job retention is totally dependent on it. We have seen many dates come and go. We were told initially that 90% of houses and businesses would be connected by the end of 2015. The figure then changed to 85% by the end of 2019 and then to 100% by 2022. It now looks like it will be 2023 before quality broadband is rolled out. People and businesses need to know what the exact dates are for this because it is vitally important, particularly for rural Ireland. Perhaps the Leader might consider asking the Minister to come to the House to address us on this issue.

In respect of the comments from my colleague from Sinn Féin on my right, it is an awful pity Sinn Féin was not as enthusiastic about getting involved in the budget process during the formation of the Government. Perhaps if it had done so rather than sit on its hands, it might have less to complain about this morning.