National broadband plan
Eugene Murphy says the programme for government broadband promises have not been met and asks a question about rural broadband delivery. The Tánaiste insists the plan is being taken seriously, says a new Minister is driving it forward, and awaits an auditor’s report before acting.
The programme for Government states:
One of the biggest challenges facing rural Ireland is to bridge the digital divide with urban areas ... we will guarantee the delivery of next-generation broadband to every household and business in the country. No town, village or parish will be left behind under the National Broadband Plan ... 85% of premises in Ireland will have access to high speed broadband within two years, with 100% access as soon as possible up to at most 5 years.
That is now ridiculous. None of that has been honoured nor can it be honoured. I have one simple question for the Tánaiste. I remind the Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, that this is not a laughing matter; it is a very serious matter for those living in rural areas. Where stands our broadband plan? What answer will the Tánaiste give that I can take to the people, particularly those in rural areas who desperately need this?
Comment on this
A Minister lost his job because of it. There is a new Minister, Deputy Bruton, who is determined to take this forward in a way that can allow the Government to deliver on the commitments in its programme. We will have a report from the auditor soon, giving advice to the Government on the integrity of the process. We will act on the back of that report. I assure the Deputy that, from the Taoiseach down, broadband for rural areas is a big priority that the Government wants to act on.