Broadband plan debate
The House continued arguing over the national broadband plan, with references to value for money, rural connectivity, and claims of populism. The Leader insisted the Minister would attend the House for a future debate on the plan.
No, they just want value for money.
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I understand that but I am asking whether that is the point people are making.
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Are they saying they want there to be a digital divide in our country? As sure as day follows night, Senator Conway-Walsh, of whom I am fond, will tell the House the country is falling down, that we do not have access to broadband, that there are no jobs in rural Ireland, that people are running away to the capital and that we cannot have that. It is all about County Mayo. The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Deputy Ring, is doing a great job in County Mayo, as the Senator will be aware. As Senator O'Mahony said, Senator Conway-Walsh, too, likes to attend the opening of envelopes. I saw her at the weekend in her County Mayo jersey cheering on the boys in green and red and they had a great win. The Minister is delivering for rural Ireland, as the Senator knows quite well. She just wishes she was in government with the Minister.
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What about broadband? It will take seven years to provide, at a cost of €3 billion.
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The Senator referred to a lack of vision. Is it not wonderful that the Minister and other members of the Government have a vision for rural Ireland to be connected, where there is no digital divide but where there are jobs and an Internet speed that will allow people to be taught remotely, to work from home and to do school projects? If one watched the "Six One News" last night, one will have seen the people whom the Senator represents welcoming the plan and bemoaning that they cannot do their homework-----
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A plan will not help me to send an email on a Monday morning.
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-----and lamenting that they cannot have high-speed connectivity. The good news is that the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment will appear before the House on Thursday, 16 May for the debate on the broadband plan. All those who ride on the horse of populism can attend the debate and then tell the people they were in favour of broadband in Dublin but against it elsewhere.