National broadband plan
Deputy Tony McLoughlin and Deputy Frank O'Rourke raised concerns about delays to the national broadband plan and when homes and businesses would be connected. The Taoiseach said negotiations were confidential, expected signing next year, and repeated that full fibre coverage for every home and business remained the goal.
The programme for Government has a commitment for the roll-out of the national broadband plan.
Will the Taoiseach update me on the contract negotiations in respect of this vital infrastructural project because many people in my constituency of Sligo-North Leitrim, encompassing parts of south Donegal and north Roscommon, contact me on a weekly basis regarding their concerns in respect of broadband in the area.
Comment on this
On page 38 of the programme for Government, there is a commitment to roll out broadband to every home and business in the country. That is not happening. The increased provision referenced in the statistics quoted by the Minister and Department is due to private operators providing this much-needed service which all Members agree is no longer a luxury but, rather, a necessity for businesses, education, people who want to work from home and so on. As Deputy McLoughlin mentioned, the timeline for the national contract going to tender is critical. I have tabled parliamentary questions in that regard but the answers from the Department are non-committal. This is a real priority. If the Government is serious about taking the lead on this, it must get the national broadband plan rolled out and the contract put out to tender as a matter of urgency. That is not happening. Will the Taoiseach update the House on the matter?
Comment on this
The contract negotiations are commercially sensitive and confidential and I am not a party to them. The Minister, Deputy Naughten, has informed me that he anticipates the contract will be signed next year.
Comment on this
I agree with Deputy O'Rourke that broadband is not a luxury but, rather, is essential. It is the intention of the Government that Ireland will be the first country in the world in which every home and business has fibre broadband. Notwithstanding the delays in getting the contract signed, the private sector, in partnership with Government and local authorities, is providing more and more homes and premises with access to high speed broadband. Up to three quarters of all homes and businesses will have such access by the end of next year.