In the Dail this week: Broadband, Garda Stations, Defence Forces



Apart from the row on water charges a number of other issues were raised in the Dail this week by local TDs.

Most of them relating to the removal of services and a lack of investment in rural Ireland – all of which are affecting the local economies in the North West according to our politicians.

Ocean FM has been taking a look at this week’s Dail issues of local relevance.

Harry Keaney reports:

Full report:

In the Dail this week, the Taoiseach Enda Kenny defended the new contract announced annnounced this week between the Department of Communications and Eir.

In response to a question yesterday from Sligo/Leitrim Fine Gael TD Tony McLoughlin, Enda Kenny said it will result in an increased focus on areas that do not have adequate broadband at present.

It’s reported it will mean a delay in the rollout of the National Broadband Scheme as it could lead to the other bidders already involved considering legal action.

 

Fianna Fail TD Marc MacSharry raised a number of issues this week including what he called the retrograde step of disbanding the Fourth Western Brigade.

That happened in 2012 leaving just two national brigades headquarted in Cork and Dublin but he says the impact will really come to the fore now in the wake of Brexit.

But in response FG Minister Paul Keogh said the government remains committed to the defence Forces and said the FG government was forced into such decisions as a result of the poor financial policies of the previous Fianna Fail government.

Sinn Fein’s Martin Kenny also supported the calls for regulation on vulture funds as outlined earlier by Pearse Doherty.

While Fianna Fail’s Eamon Scanlon called for the government to stick to its commitment to invest and fund Garda Stations – he highlighted Tubbercurry Garda Station in south Sligo which has the third highest rate of crime in the division.

However, the Taoiseach appeared annoyed not just with Deputy Scanlon but a number of TDs for not raising matters at the appropriate time under Dail business.



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