Mark Wall (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank Dr. O'Connor for his presentation and his responses, which have been very informative. On phone coverage, according to Dr. O'Connor's opening statement, we should have 2G coverage almost everywhere in the country. I raised this the last day. I am from Kildare, just outside Athy. It is not a million miles from here but there are people who have to go out to their back gardens to receive or maintain phone coverage. How can we address that? These people live less than 50 miles from the capital and cannot get basic phone coverage. It is a huge problem in that area 30 or 40 miles along the bottom of south Kildare and into Laois.

Dr. O'Connor said it is probably a matter for the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, but I am aware of several businesses where the exchange stops within 100 m or 50 m, or 10 yd., from them. This is a significant challenge for many businesses in rural Ireland. I have dealt with one company which employs seven people which could employ many more, doubling or trebling that number, but it cannot get the broadband it needs to increase its workforce. It has been regularly ringing the Department and the provider but the exchange remains 200 m from their door step. It cannot continue. How can we help a company like that? It should be all about job creation, particularly in rural locations. We should be giving such a company the answers it needs, but it has not had a response to date.

I welcome the appointment of a broadband officer in the local authorities. The one in Kildare, who I deal with, has been a godsend for many public representatives. There have been many occasions when I had to phone or email him.

On hubs, has the Department had to refuse any applications from communities and, if so, why? The information that will be built up in the first quarter can be fed out by public representatives and local authorities. I know of local communities which are looking at this and require that information. I was interested to hear about e-health. Have there been discussions with service providers in the primary care centres that have been and are being rolled out with the Department of Health about locating hubs in those primary care centres? It would mean health officials on the doorstep and the hubs to answer questions or queries that may come from the communities. I have seen it work in places such as Ballymore Eustace in Kildare.

The common booking platform was mentioned. How do we go about that? I also worry about the advantages that might be there in the private versus public sectors. I thank Dr. O'Connor. I think everyone will agree that the town and village renewal has been a godsend for many rural communities.