Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the announcement yesterday by the European Commission about the investment it proposes to put into Wi-Fi. It is proposing that free Wi-Fi would be available in public spaces and it has launched a new project where it is giving a €15,000 voucher to local authorities or local districts to provide free Wi-Fi in public spaces, such as public health centres, community centres and even main streets. It proposes there will be free Wi-Fi in towns. It is a welcome initiative whereby approximately 8,000 local authority districts across the European Union will be connected up with free Wi-Fi in the next two years. It is what we need to see more of. I encourage local authorities to apply for this funding and to work with the towns, in particular, the chambers of commerce, in order that these projects can get off the ground. It is a significant tranche of funding for an issue that is important for us. In my part of the world, one would hope it would be another tool in our box regarding tourism and where we are going in promoting west Cork because if one can provide free Wi-Fi in towns such as Dunmanway, Skibbereen, Clonakilty and Kinsale, one will have another tool along that Wild Atlantic Way, which will help everyone. It is an important step. It needs to be publicised but the local authorities now need to be proactive and need to apply for it. The date set for this funding is 20 May and they must look for it now. The sum of €15,000 for free Wi-Fi in every town in Cork, Dublin, or even Ireland, is very significant. It is there and it only needs to be applied for. I call on the Minister to ensure that the local authorities work actively to ensure we get this infrastructure because the funding is there and it can benefit everyone.