Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)

No, we will look for proposals to ensure that the last 10% to 15% of the country will be able to avail of broadband and there will be broadband coverage. The Department will see what is the industry's response.

In reply to Deputy Eamon Ryan, despite my best efforts over the past two or three years in this area, we are not going to get the private commercial sector to fork out money to provide broadband on a nationwide basis out of any sense of national pride or interest.

The companies all agree with the concept that it is in the national interest to have as much broadband coverage as possible, but they have indicated they will not pay for it. If it is economical they will provide it, but they indicate that if the Government thinks it is in the national interest that broadband coverage is everywhere, the Government should contribute. They will be looking for some support, State subsidy or backup.

In response to Deputy Eamon Ryan's point, we are moving on the issue of voice-over IP etc. That brings me back to the earlier point I made about the necessity to have as much fibre-optic cable as we can. We must think now about next generation networks, which will be based on fibre-optics rather than copper. This is particularly true if we want to get the reach and services we need.

I have a point on figures and comparing like to like. The worst possible set of statistics to use in comparing Ireland to other countries in Europe on broadband is household figures. Population would be better from an Irish point of view.

See this speech in context