Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish to convey to the Minister and his officials the appreciation of Deputy Moynihan, who could not be present because he an appointment elsewhere, in respect of this legislation. While I understand that the legislation will greatly improve the provision of broadband services in urban settings, I take this opportunity to refer, as I did during a Topical Issue debate prior to Christmas, to the provision of such services in rural areas. I welcome the Minister's confirmation to the effect that the mapping process is well advanced. I plead with him and his officials to make this matter a top priority. Rural Ireland is dying. The provision of broadband services to rural areas is critical. The village from which I come contains four small shops and it is no longer possible to purchase mobile phone credit at any of them. The only place one can get such credit is the local post office. The reason for this is that there is no broadband coverage in the area. The local petrol station only opens four days per week instead of seven. If there was broadband coverage available, the owner would be able to install a special machine so that people might purchase fuel on a self-service basis even when the station is closed.

The provision of broadband services would help, to some degree, in alleviating the problems rural Ireland is facing. I appeal to the Minister to make dealing with deficiencies in the provision of broadband services in rural areas a top priority. On behalf of my colleague, Deputy Moynihan, I thank the Minister and his officials for bring the Bill before the House.

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