Sinn Féin committed to socially inclusive WiFi for Dublin - Doolan
Published: 5 April, 2007
Having met with schools in Dublin's south inner city Sinn Féin' s Dublin
South East candidate, Councillor Daithí Doolan, has reiterated Sinn Féin's
call for a socially inclusive not for profit WiFi delivery for Dublin City.
Speaking after the meeting in Pearse Street Cllr. Doolan said "much has been
said on the need to bridge the digital divide existing between the
privileged and disadvantages areas of our city. It is now time to put those
words into action. Communities in the inner city must have free and open
access to the internet."
"Currently we see an increase in WiFi availability in Œcherry picked'
premium locations such as café's and hotels in the city centre yet little if
any availability in the broader community. Sinn Féin believes everyone in
our city can benefit significantly from free WiFi along with training,
support and equipment being made easily available."
"Ireland currently ranks 20th in a list of 30 OECD countries for the
provision of computers for schools and IT support contracts for the same.
This is unacceptable in a city experiencing an economic boom as we are in
Dublin. The provision of WiFi would go some way to address this imbalance in
our city's schools. It would also benefit community groups, youth centres,
people with disabilities and our senior citizens."
Cllr. Doolan outlined:
"Sinn Féin is proposing that the Dublin City Council set up an independent
body that builds the system using City Council assets and allows any ISP to
utilise the service. The independent body would be made up of
representatives of the educational, community and business sectors. It would
be required to raise the capital cost and operate on a not for profit
basis."
Cllr. Doolan concluded:
"Dublin City Council can and should lead the way in making this city the
information and communications technology capital of Europe. In doing so we
need to ensure that all our citizens benefit from such a project."
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