Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister is correct about the "Rolls-Royce" being required. Maybe we should specify that it is the minimum requirement for every part of the country to have accessibility. We have had a constant stream of complaints, during the past couple of months in particular, about the mobile phone coverage in rural communities. People in places that had been well served say they can get only minimal coverage and, almost like the "rabbit ears" long ago, coverage depends on where one stands. We must accept that the results of various attempts by the Government and State over recent years regarding wireless broadband and other schemes have been less than desirable. We must get full fibre optic connectivity into rural communities.

As I have said numerous times, this is the great divide between urban and rural communities. This also applies to some less rural communities. I regularly receive correspondence regarding the unavailability of coverage some 15 or 20 miles from O'Connell Street. We must make this a major priority. Over the past seven to ten years, numerous new broadband schemes have been announced and their shortcomings have been stark. While the new joint venture which the Minister announced at 11 a.m. is very welcome, it goes only to a certain level. It is extremely urgent that the State intervene to ensure these communities are connected. Mobile phone coverage in rural communities seems to be dying a death. That is the word we are hearing from communities.