Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am sorry that I missed the start of the meeting. I echo the concerns being expressed in predominantly rural constituencies. The difficulties faced by businesses and householders alike are enormous because of the lack of proper broadband provision. I use the line that we are only as strong as the slowest connection and, unfortunately, there are a lot of slow connections around the country.

One of the Minister’s first engagements was in Cahersiveen to officially launch the fibre broadband service in the town. It is of enormous help in that part of County Kerry, but like in so many other parts of the country when one travels a couple of miles outside the town, there is literally no reception. In the Black Valley near Killarney, the last part of the country to receive an electricity supply, people are still writing to me to say their telephone connections are not up to standard. We have lagged very far behind. It dates back to the 28th Dáil and the privatisation of the telecommunications infrastructure. It is a legacy issue. I am not taking a political shot, but it was a huge mistake, from which we must learn, no matter which policy area we are examining. It is urgent that we move forward. I know that we want to get it right, but we have learned that if one tries to rush things, they will not work out. It is vital that we get it right and have it done as soon as possible. I get a sense of helplessness from people whose service from their providers is not of a good enough standard in terms of their contact with the regulator. They do not believe the regulator is responding adequately to their concerns and complaints. This is something I have heard on many fronts. There is a substandard service and when people go to the regulator, they do not make much progress or get any joy from it. This matter must be addressed. It is one thing not to have a good enough service, but when one cannot progress a complaint, one is really in trouble.