Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I join my colleagues in welcoming the delegation from ERNACT. I thank them for taking the time to make this presentation. I thank the Chairman, Deputy McHugh, for hosting the delegates. The role of ERNACT is spelled out in its title, which is the application of technology in the regions. Will Mr. McColgan comment on his role, and his engagement with the delivery of as opposed to the application of infrastructure?

In regard to the €25 million investment in the north-west gateway, will he outline the focus of that investment? What is the remit of ERNACT and what geographic areas is it covering? Various programmes have been announced, be it Government investment or otherwise, so could Mr. McColgan outline how this will impact on the ground in places like Donegal? What does this mean, what is happening and what is likely to happen in the next couple of years? We have the rural broadband scheme, which has delivered by and large low grade wireless broadband to areas, which can be patchy but is certainly a development on what was there. That is a long way from achieving real connectivity for rural areas. In theory, broadband breaks down barriers and breaks down geography and makes it possible to host business or any type of activity in the most remote areas and offers great scope for remote and rural areas in terms of engaging with the wider world and developing economically on a more level playing field. The reality, however, has been that the advent of broadband has served to cut off rural areas even more so than before because without that broadband infrastructure it highlights the remoteness and disadvantages because the area does not have the broadband to be able to communicate with that infrastructure.

Something that should give us the opportunity to become mainstream is actually making us more remote. I agree with what has been said about the way we have to go.

The witnesses have said that digging accounts for between 80% and 90% of the cost of laying down broadband infrastructure. I ask them to comment on the suggestion that we have the capacity to put fibre on the telephone and ESB poles that go into every house in the country. Yesterday's announcement, which was privately driven, by and large, is further evidence that the infrastructure is there. I understand that Letterkenny is the only town in County Donegal to be included in these new plans. What are the possibilities in this regard? Has there been much engagement between ERNACT and the State? Can the witnesses comment on their awareness of the potential of the discussions that are taking place in this respect? It strikes me that the only real way to do this - it is certainly the most straightforward way - is to put the fibre on a pole, alongside the ESB and telephone lines, so that it can be connected into every house. That is the only way we can make sure this happens. That would be the lowest-cost model of delivery.

I ask the witnesses to comment on the role and operation of the metropolitan area networks in towns. What is the current status of those networks? A significant investment was made to provide them. In many cases, the cost of delivering a metropolitan area network service to businesses in towns has proven to be prohibitive. I would be interested to hear anything they might have to say on that issue.

I will conclude by asking about the issue of roaming, with particular reference to the delivery of telecommunications infrastructure along the Foyle coast. Mr. McColgan is familiar with the area in question. Is ERNACT in a position to play a role in breaking down barriers there? People living in Border areas are continuing to experience significant cost difficulties. I refer in particular to people on the Republic of Ireland side of Lough Foyle who have no choice other than to operate off a Northern Ireland mobile telephone and pay the significant fees associated with that. For these people, the lack of proper availability of reasonably costed options, like those other people are able to avail of, is a real barrier to the use of telecommunications. Companies are charging more even though, as I understand it, it does not necessarily cost them anything. There are ways around it if the willingness is there.