Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)

A regional disparity exists and it has a negative effect both socially and economically for those living in rural areas which are not covered. The admission by ComReg that a universal service obligation applies under EU regulations only for the provision of telephones and not in respect of broadband belies a serious flaw in the system. Every citizen should have an entitlement to broadband in the same way they have entitlement to an operational phone line. Consequently, I propose a review similar to that carried out by the European Commission in 2005 which would result in a legislative change and give a voice to the thousands of people living in rural Ireland denied access to what is an essential service by today's standards.

The broadband availability map found on the Department's website simply does not reflect the situation on the ground. I would go so far as to state the map is largely a work of fiction and so would many of my constituents. There is a glaring disparity between those who will eventually be able to avail of the next-generation networks and others, many of whom I represent in a mixed urban and rural constituency, who must still dial up for Internet access. There is an inequality at play here. The criteria laid down in the national broadband scheme must ensure there is 100% broadband coverage. The Minister must ensure those white areas depicting no coverage on the departmental map will have broadband access by June 2008. Broadband access is a right in today's Ireland.

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