Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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265. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the contact he has had with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources with regards to the roll out of high speed broadband connectivity in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43073/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources is playing a full and active part in the CEDRA Interdepartmental Group, particularly in relation to ensuring that the specific recommendations of the CEDRA Taskforce on the necessity for high-speed broadband in rural areas are fully implemented. Rural areas have been particularly badly hit by the economic downturn and the CEDRA report, which was published earlier this year, contained 34 main recommendations to help support the medium term economic development of rural areas for the period to 2025.  Minister of State Phelan has established the CEDRA Inter-Departmental Group (CEDRA IDG) in order to progress the implementation of the CEDRA report. Lead responsibility for all actions has been assigned to the relevant departments and agencies and following the last meeting of the group in October, a detailed work programme, containing specific actions and timelines up to end 2015, is currently being finalised.