Kate O'Connell (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----a few months ago, that cable and fixed wireless or mobile wireless are not equatable. From my short studies on it, it only works where there is not clogging up of the system, the weather is good, the leaves are not on the trees and the wind is blowing in the right direction. I know there are businesses that it suits. Many businesses in Dublin fall into that category where they have wireless masts on the side of buildings to ramp up the speed.

In terms of what we are trying to achieve here, and the Chairman spoke about people at home watching these proceedings, I believe it is something monumental. We are trying to put down fixed cable infrastructure to serve the country into the future but it is a bit like the gas analogy. People may not want or require it in their homes today but they may want it as technology advances, our fridges start talking to us and we have all these advances that apparently will happen. My understanding is that once the proper cable broadband infrastructure is laid down or up, as the case may be, they may not need it today but in 15 years' time the capacity exists to expand for those requirements. Mr. Griffin might explain that to the committee because much of it has been lost in the idea that we are trying to provide Netflix for everyone. We are not trying to provide Netflix for everyone. We are trying to provide an infrastructure that leaves people in Carlow, Ballyferriter and Tyrrellspass as connected as people in Dublin. My understanding is that regional development can happen and not be in any way inhibited by lack of access to proper cable and that we will not have a company coming in and telling people their broadband will work perfectly fine once there are no leaves on the trees, they are on flat ground and the wind is blowing in the right direction. Mr. Griffin might outline that for the committee.