Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the parties and Independents opposite for facilitating the passage of this legislation. It is, as those on all sides have agreed, important in the context of enhancing the quality of broadband available in provincial Ireland. I welcome the investment by the main companies in the sector that is proceeding in conjunction with this legislation.

Deputy Colreavy inquired about rural areas which may not be covered by the current initiative. I must inform him that the mapping exercise relating to the implementation of the national broadband plan is very well advanced. As soon as that process is concluded and our negotiations with the EU have been completed, we will proceed as fast as may be with the implementation of the national broadband plan. What we are doing here - with the approval of the various parties in the House - is enacting enabling legislation to permit the ESB, on its own or in conjunction with another company or companies, to use its existing supply infrastructure to roll out to areas of provincial Ireland fibre-optic technology that has been future proofed. This will be a very significant step in enhancing the level of connectivity that is available to those in provincial Ireland.

I again thank colleagues for facilitating the passage of the legislation.

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