Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)

Is it not depressing to read media reports every week about various indices such as the World Economic Forum's network readiness index, according to which Ireland is static in 22nd position? We used to be top of the premiership table, together with Sweden, in e-government but we have slipped to fourth. We have slipped in the areas of health, library systems and taxation to 12th, 15th and 24th of 28. Even during the Minister's administration of the programme, does he agree Ireland's performance in availing of broadband and ICT is increasingly worrying and needs urgent action? Is the Northern Ireland example not the way to go? Northern Ireland was 100% broadband enabled a few months ago but only 200 of 1,400 Eircom exchanges are broadband enabled in this jurisdiction. Is that not a total disgrace?

Recently the Minister for Transport represented the Minister at a conference in Kilkenny. He lost his temper with the chief executive of Eircom and said he wanted action. Is it time the Minister called in Dr. Nolan, Mr. McRedmond and the other Eircom board members to tell them enough is enough, that our situation is embarrassing and disgraceful and that we are at the bottom of the league in broadband provision?

Ireland used to be at the cutting edge of technology but earlier significant job losses were threatened by IBM, a company which has been in the State for a quarter of a century. Is it time the Minister took dramatic action in the provision of broadband and ICT? If not, the next Government, whatever its complexion, will face a great crisis. Must the Minister not take action now and at least copy his counterpart in Northern Ireland?

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