Newry Armagh Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

'Newry will gain access to high speed internet cable - Murphy

Published: 16 January, 2010

Speaking ahead of Tuesday's adjournment debate on Project Kelvin in the Assembly, Sinn Féin MP for Newry/Armagh Conor Murphy has said that he remains confident that Newry and the surrounding area will gain access to high speed internet which has been brough to Ireland by Project Kelvin;

Mr. Murphy had lobbied for Newry to be connected to Project Kelvin and had met with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment and Hibernian, the company tasked with implementing the project, in order to make progress on the issue.

"The chamber of commerce must be commended for the work that they have done on this issue over the last number of months. While some politicians attempted to cause distractions and say that it could not be done, they persevered and the people of this area will benefit from that.

"The debate has moved on since previous discussions. I have been informed that suppliers are in the process of identifying locations in Newry City to locate a Project Kelvin POP (point of presence). The chamber of commerce is now investigating opportunities which will allow Newry the best technical advantage. The chamber has also successfully applied for £3k from Newry & Mourne District Council to match fund contributions from private sector representatives to undertake a piece of research and draft a lobbying paper highlighting the benefits of Newry becoming a digital city and the investment in infrastructure required.

"A member of the Newry Digital City committee will now be researching best practices of how towns/cities across Europe have benefited from investment in communications infrastructure and make recommendations on how Newry can adopt the technology on a local basis for the benefit of local citizens and businesses.

"Newry's participation in the project will allow the area to attract large knowledge-based companies to the area, and would facilitate the promotion of Newry as a business centre on the main route between the two largest cities on this island.

"In this difficult economic climate it is vital that we continue to promote Newry as a business centre in order to spur economic growth and employment in this area."