Yes, and the opposition should have said something along those lines, instead we got a TD sidetracking the debate.

“Your explanation on the exclusion of Cavan for the debate isn’t going to win anyone over as it’s simply not credible. Look at the language usage – it’s simply not consistent with the way Bertie refers to “national issues”.”

Damien was correct, I was actually being ignorant and arrogant. I saw my way of viewing it as the only way of viewing it… I was wrong and I am sorry to everybody for that.

But I’m by no way the only one who thinks he meant he just wanted to talk on a national level. Have a look at all the comments above and on the post with the video.

The Bert is known for being non-consistent and sloppy with his use of English, so, for him to come out with the ‘Republic of Ireland’ instead of the ‘country in general’ is far more plausible them him not knowing where Cavan is located.

Your explanation on the exclusion of Cavan for the debate isn’t going to win anyone over as it’s simply not credible. Look at the language usage – it’s simply not consistent with the way Bertie refers to “national issues”.

Instead of the problem being talked about the debate was sidetracked into nonsense about where Cavan is or isn’t. If you are talking to somebody like the Bert who can easily get side tracked on their own, you don’t give them an excuse.

There’s no “IF” about it: broadband is a problem throughout the country, and the country isn’t just Dublin — a fact that seems to escape the attention of many. Bertie’s attempt to average out broadband performance over the whole country makes it a local issue by definition.

Bock the Robber: I think you missed my point, I think it’s a national issue.

He isn’t the clearest speaker at the best of times. But it’s quite apparent that when he said “I am talking about the Republic of Ireland”, he meant he was talking about Ireland in general.

The “Not in County Cavan” from Crawford, a Cavan-Monaghan TD, is exactly what is wrong with our national parliament – it’s members all too often want to get their mention of a local issue in so it’ll be covered by the local papers and radio stations.

IF broadband is still a problem at national level those opposing the Government should speak about it at such a level.

As for Dermot Ahern’s “Fine Gael is patchy throughout Ireland” comment. It’s common talk that is spoken in the Dail any day of the week by all sides of the house. Singling out Dermot Ahern for it is taking it out of such context, and thus wrong.