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

I agree with the Deputy's substantial conclusion, that fibre optic connectivity will address the issues about which he is concerned regarding the disparity between rural and urban Ireland. The Deputy is correct that one or two pockets close to O'Connell Street are black spots due to historical reasons. Senator Eamonn Coghlan has spoken to me privately about a particular area with which he is very familiar where there is such a problem. Generally speaking, urban Ireland is as well provided for as any country in western Europe. The kind of past interventions to which the Deputy referred aimed to provide a basic level of broadband. People are no longer satisfied with basic broadband and are not prepared to accept it. That is why we must address it.

The mobile phone issue has been brought to my attention on a few occasions. Problems exist mainly along the route of the new motorways. There is a history on this point going back to attitudes taken at the time by the National Roads Authority, NRA, and decisions taken at that time. I have received complaints that mobile phone calls are being dropped with unreasonable frequency along there. The mobile phone companies have their own ambitious roll-out plans in terms of preparing for 4G services, which may be causing a deterioration in service during this period of preparation. They are preparing for a service upgrade. Local authorities have a role. Members are aware of the situation in Kerry where an attempt was made to enshrine in the county plan a prohibition on masts being erected in certain areas. These decisions have an impact.