Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

May I make a point on working with industry? It concerns the wider, national picture. Almost ten years ago, the idea of task forces and collaboration in what is an inherently competitive market was touted. The approach involves open-access networks, shared ducting and such elements. That approach has actually delivered for us as a country. While we have had some difficulties and delays in the roll-out of broadband nationally, the wider national picture - it is important to be aware of this - shows we are shooting up the international league tables in terms of high-speed broadband access. The really significant investment being made across a variety of operators, which are competing to get to the householder as quickly as possible with fibre, means we are starting to see really high-speed broadband roll-out right across the country. Obviously, the national broadband area has specific characteristics; that is why it exists. The decision on it was the correct strategic decision. It will be delivered upon. That will put the country in a remarkably strong position. Whether delivery is in five, six or seven years, it will happen. Practically universal access to high-speed fibre broadband affords us the potential to be transformative because it means we can roll out public services, educational and other services-----