Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputies from all parties and none expressed extreme frustration on Second Stage. As the Minister said there are various reasons. In my view the primary reason is the legacy of the network we inherited, mainly due to the sale of Eircom assets and the little or no investment in that infrastructure in the intervening period. In my view the current delivery of infrastructure is innovative. It uses existing infrastructure and it will save significant capital costs in ducting, excavation, ducting and reinstatement. It will fast-track delivery of the fibre network to communities around the country.

I have a question about public service obligation which requires the ESB to deliver electricity to remote and rural areas. Electricity is a fundamental utility requirement. I presume there is no public service obligation element to this legislation requiring the ESB or the ESB and its partners, to deliver this infrastructure. I presume it will be a commercial decision to bring the infrastructure to where the providers will reap the best rewards. I ask the Minister and his Department to keep a close watch on where this investment and infrastructure is located so that any black spots remaining will be addressed by means of proper national broadband analysis to ensure that those black spots in remote areas are addressed by other initiatives. This is my one concern, namely, that utilities might cherry-pick the larger centres of population in order to have a commercial return. Many of the frustrations about the lack or quality of broadband goes beyond those areas and need to be closely monitored.