Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

That covers both broadband and Eircode. A sum of €15 million has been set aside for the roll out of the national broadband plan this year. Clearly the Minister does not expect to have too many homes connected under the national broadband plan if €15 million is all that is being set aside. I am anxious for the Minister to give us an indication of when he expects that tender to go to the marketplace. I refer to the acceptance by the Minister and his Department that eir is legitimate in its desire to connect the 300,000 homes or premises identified by it back in 2015. Does he believe that will now have an impact in terms of putting the tender to the marketplace? Will he let us know if he has had any legal or other communication from the two remaining bidders and if, in light of any communication or concerns they might have, he expects there will be any delay in the roll out of the tender?

On Eircode, the Minister and I have had various different communications both in committee and in the Dáil about whether it is a viable method any more. Will he update the committee on his opinion? Will he explain how one gets an Eircode? I had an interesting case in my constituency office recently where somebody who has built a home and wants broadband in it was asked for their Eircode. They did not have an Eircode and sought one. They could not get an Eircode and they have been bounced around and may have to wait for one.

In order to procure broadband, which they really want - they are not overly exercised about postcodes - they have been told they need to get a postcode and it will assist them in getting broadband. They are not able to get postcodes. The Minister might throw some light on that matter for me. The Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Deputy Coveney, has indicated that it is not his responsibility. Perhaps the Minister, Deputy Naughten, will accept responsibility for providing such postcodes.