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"Donegal needs faster broadband" 07.07.08

SENATOR Pearse Doherty has called for Donegal to be chosen as a pilot region for a next generation internet network.
The Sinn Féin also called for a debate on broadband provision, comparing Ireland to countries like Japan who were no longer looking for broadband or next generation technology but rather "next next generation".
"There has been much discussion about the economy and how it is going into recession," said Senator Doherty.
"When we face difficult times, we need to invest in our infrastructure. I have called for numerous debates and numerous senators have called for a debate on what is happening in respect of the National Development Plan, particularly the areas which have not seen the benefit of the Celtic Tiger over the past ten years."
He referred to an EU Commission survey showing that Ireland lags well behind in broadband with the highest costs and lowest speeds.
"We are the only country in Europe where more people use narrowband or dial-up than broadband. This is a serious issue if we wish to be a knowledge-based economy and want to get out of the recession. We need a debate on it," he said.
“There is a way for us to help regional development. I spoke to the experts who were here last week. In respect of areas like Donegal, we could, with only a couple of hundred thousand euro, test pilot next generation networks. Can one imagine what that could do for places that have 18% unemployment?" he asked.
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