Broadband and a birthday congratulations
Senator Horkan congratulated Senator Feighan on the birth of his baby and then returned to the broadband debate, stressing that reliable service should be treated like essential infrastructure. The Chair and Senator Noone made brief procedural and humorous interjections.
I congratulate Senator Feighan on the birth of his new baby girl, Francesca, on Saturday, 12 November. It happened to be my birthday, so it was a particularly good day as far as I was concerned.
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I have. I asked whether it was in order because we had congratulated someone on getting married. I did not realise that this matter was not, so apologies if that is the case.
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We must comply with protocol and decorum in the House. I am sure that the Senator has a question to ask.
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I agree on the point about broadband. I was the chair of the regional assembly at one stage. It had 53 members right across from Fingal to Clare and covered the southern and eastern parts of the country. During one debate on broadband, half of the room said nothing and the other half was incredibly agitated. One half took broadband for granted because its service was perfectly fine, but not so for the other half. We must view broadband like electricity. It must be the same, it must be good quality and it must be available everywhere. It would change a significant number of people's lives.
Perhaps my next point is not in order either, but I attended a function yesterday evening commemorating 20 years of the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland, which was opened on 14 November 1996 by the then President, Ms Mary Robinson. A beautiful function was held. Representatives of the al-Maktoum family, which funded the centre originally, visited from the United Arab Emirates. Archbishop Martin was present, as were an Assistant Garda Commissioner and other significant dignitaries. It was a wonderful celebration of 20 years of that institution in Irish public life. It has made a great contribution to Irish life and the House should congratulate it. The centre is holding an exhibition week for ten weeks starting today. I advise Senators and anyone in the area to visit Clonskeagh and see the contribution that culture has made to Ireland and the world.