Vol. 571 No. 2
319 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress which has been made by Údarás na Gaeltachta in providing high-quality broadband telecommunication facilities to both the Waterford and Meath Gaeltacht; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21348/03]
Údarás na Gaeltachta recognises that a high-quality broadband telecommunications infrastructure is an essential requirement to attract new technology-based industries to the Gaeltacht.
While Údarás na Gaeltachta has no direct responsibility in the matter, it actively pursues and co-operates with the relevant service providers the issue of developing broadband telecommunications infrastructure in the Gaeltacht. In this context, Údarás is currently assessing the potential demand for broadband services, and the infrastructure available to support such demand in the Gaeltacht areas in Waterford and Meath.
