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David Puttnam Addreses National Digital Strategy Progress Event

Broadcaster Mícheál O’Muircheartaigh and Ireland's Digital Champion David Puttnam share a laugh at today's event.

Broadcaster Mícheál O’Muircheartaigh and Ireland's Digital Champion David Puttnam share a laugh at today's event.

Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte today joined Ireland’s Digital Champion David Puttnam on a video link between Arranmore Island and Dublin Castle where communities and businesses are considering how to “do more with digital”.

The event in Dublin Castle is taking stock of progress in The National Digital Strategy which was launched less than a year ago. In Donegal, Minister Rabbitte met with island residents who are receiving basic internet training through the Government’s BenefIT scheme, and with businesses that are making the transition to online trading.

The Dublin Castle event was also attended by veteran GAA broadcaster Mícheál O’Muircheartaigh who commented that,"Digital development and widespread broadband availability are as important to the future of Ireland as the coming of electricity was in the 1920s".

Speaking by video link from one the BenefIT Programme training venues, Minister Rabbitte said:

Here on Arranmore Island I can see the importance of digital, particularly for rural communities where connectivity can add tangible value to people’s lives. I have now committed a further €400,000 to this valuable training initiative.

Ireland's Digital Champion David Puttnam said:

I took on this role because of my sincere belief that the digital world offered a once in a generation opportunity to enhance our lives, to transform education and with it the future prospects of every man, woman and child in this country.

Read the full press release

here

.