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Mary Lou McDonald has challenged the Fianna Fail leader to \u201cput up or shut up\u201d on the issue of rural broadband.<\/p>\nMary Lou McDonald has challenged the Fianna Fail leader to \u201cput up or shut up\u201d on the issue of rural broadband.<\/p>\n
The Sinn F\u00e9in leader called on Miche\u00e1l Martin to back her party\u2019s motion opposing the Government\u2019s \u20ac3 bn (\u00a32.6b) National Broadband Plan.<\/p>\n
The party plans to table the motion in the D\u00e1il this week, seeking the appointment of the ESB to deliver rural broadband.<\/p>\n
The Government last week approved Granahan McCourt as the preferred bidder for the roll-out of high speed broadband to more than 540,000 homes and businesses across the country over the next seven years.<\/p>\n
Ms McDonald said the Fine-Gael led Government, which is supported by Fianna F\u00e1il, had shrugged off alternatives to the plan which would allow broadband to remain in public ownership.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe national broadband shambles is aided and abetted by Miche\u00e1l Martin,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd just like the National Children\u2019s Hospital he plays spectator politics with taxpayers money.\u201d<\/p>\n
But the Dublin Central TD said Sinn F\u00e9in was \u201cprepared to take action\u201d.<\/p>\n
If he is serious about protecting rural Ireland, if he’s serious about protecting delivering rural broadband then he will support the Sinn F\u00e9in motion<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will table a motion in the Dail to appoint the ESB, a commercial semi-state, to deal finally with rural broadband,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy challenge to Miche\u00e1l Martin is this: put up or shut up.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf he is serious about protecting rural Ireland, if he\u2019s serious about protecting delivering rural broadband then he will support the Sinn F\u00e9in motion.\u201d<\/p>\n
She made the comments alongside the party\u2019s MEPs at the Dublin launch of the party\u2019s European election manifesto.<\/p>\n
Sinn F\u00e9in also launched its campaign in Belfast on Monday.<\/p>\n
Ms McDonald accused Taoiseach Leo Varadkar of being \u201cinsulated from the reality of Ireland\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s out of touch,\u201d she claimed. \u201cHis vision is of Ireland that works for the few, that delivers for landlords and protects the interests of the rich.\u201d<\/p>\n