At the announcement of the €27bn Capital Investment Plan, which will be spaced out over the period 2016 to 2021, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin said that investment in Information Communications Technology (ICT) is critical for our national economy.

“The National Broadband Plan will utilise significant private sector investment and be supported by an initial €275m investment by the Exchequer,” said Howlin. “It will ensure that every business and household in Ireland has access to high-speed broadband and help to connect communities, spread growth and support local business.”

Climate change

Some €444m will be spent on energy efficiency and renewable energy programmes over the next six years.

“As a country, we have a responsibility to play our part in reducing reliance on fossils fuels,” said Howlin. “We also have legally binding renewable energy targets and could face costs of up to €600m if we fail to meet those targets by 2020.”