Frank Feighan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the €3 billion national broadband plan which has received EU state aid approval. It is the biggest investment in rural Ireland and every farm, home, business and school will be connected. It is due to start in eight weeks' time. Rural Ireland will not be left behind and the Government has made a significant gesture to help it to get on its feet. Some 90% of businesses and houses in the State will be covered by the plan. This is a great day for rural Ireland. People can complain all they want about the cost of the plan and so on, but it is an investment in from where I come and every business, school and farmhouse will be connected.

Senator Craughwell spoke about the air ambulance service. I remind people that in 2011 there was no air ambulance in the country. The emergency department in Roscommon was downgraded. Fine Gael in government, with the Labour Party, put an air ambulance service in place in Athlone. The Ministers involved were former Deputy Alan Shatter and Senator James Reilly. I was also involved. Hundreds of lives have been saved as a result. As I said, there was no air ambulance in the country, except for the Irish Coast Guard helicopters. Yes, there are issues that need to be addressed. Use of the Irish Coast Guard is one option and the air ambulance service in Cork another, but the position is not ideal.We need to work together. The air ambulance has saved hundreds of lives. I know of at least 50 people in my area whose lives have been saved. If we got statements from each one of them, each one would tell the Government and myself how important it is. We all know there is an issue regarding the retention of pilots and that there are other issues. I believe this Government will address them.

Senator Craughwell is a good friend. We both wear the poppy and we remember. On this occasion, I think he should withdraw what he said about the Taoiseach because we all get things wrong and I understand what was said was probably said without any malice.