Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The part of our guests presentation which relates to challenges refers to any inconsistency of approach on the part of local authorities. Will they provide an example of such inconsistency? Are there any local authorities which are more culpable than others in this regard? Does this inconsistency of approach come down to policy or does it relate to the infrastructural requirements in respect of the roll-out of mobile or broadband services? It was stated that there is an issue with regard to State agencies access to State properties. Does this relate to locations in which masts have been erected?

When Eircell and Esat Digifone commenced operations in the 1990s, as Deputy Harrington pointed out, there were areas of west Cork in which it was not possible to obtain mobile phone coverage. The latter is still the case in these areas. On the regional routes between Dunmanway and Macroom and Dunmanway and Clonakilty, there are several areas in which it is not possible to obtain a mobile phone signal. This is exceptionally frustrating for people.

There is a major issue with mobile, broadband and satellite coverage in an area near Bantry comprising the Borlin and Coomhola valleys. The hill farmers in this area need to access the Internet in order to download area aid forms, etc., but there is no coverage. In order to conduct any business on the Internet they must either travel into Bantry to an Internet cafe or use whatever limited service is available to them at home late at night when the level of demand is not great. The national broadband map which is due to be put up on the Department's website later this month will not be much good to anyone living in the Borlin and Coomhola valleys because they will still not be able to access the Internet. I understand the commercial interests of the organisations involved in providing services. Their objective is to make money rather than provide charitable services. However, there is going to be a shortfall in the context of the level of service they are prepared to provide and the Government will then be obliged to pick up the slack. Will our guests indicate the timeframes in respect of this matter? Will those timeframes be realistic?

In the context of its report, the Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas, CEDRA, which is chaired by Mr. Pat Spillane, put forward a number of quite specific recommendations in respect of broadband provision. Have our guests' companies and organisations worked these recommendations into their mission statements at every level and not just that which relates to their commercial interests? When can we expect universality? There is no such thing as "near universality", there either is universal coverage or there is not. When will we see universality of mobile phone and broadband coverage?