Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

I compliment Deputy Coveney on his initiative in bringing a very reasonable motion before the House. It is quite frustrating that the Minister and the Government cannot come to terms with a motion that is so reasonable and commonsensical in its approach to the issue of broadband, which is a problem in every part of the country. Broadband has such an important contribution to make to the future economic and social development of our country. We spend a considerable amount of time speaking about our national development plan and the rolling out of the national infrastructural plans. However, if we do not have high-speed broadband, we are missing out on the information highway, in the same way that we would miss out on other aspects of economic development if we did not develop road, rail and transport networks. It is as important, if not more important, to have high-speed broadband facilities in all parts of the country if we are to remain competitive and be able to engage in service provision in the future. This is particularly true for small businesses.

In the south-eastern region, an area close to the Leas-Cheann Comhairle's heart, the metropolitan area network was introduced some years ago through the South-East Regional Authority and local authorities. It has been implemented in 11 towns in the region. The South-East Regional Authority was ready to commence construction of a metropolitan area network in Tullow, Bagenalstown, Tramore and Dunmore East but the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources refused funding approval recently. I have received a response to a parliamentary question from the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, to the effect that the provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter for the private sector and that he has no responsibility, which is not borne out by the facts concerning the financing and roll-out of this important infrastructure in the south east.

The question of backhaul and linking the system to Dublin and the outside world is a major problem and Eircom is not making a satisfactory contribution in that regard. The cost of a connection for small businesses in my constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny is €10,000. Public bodies are not even availing of the system. What message is being sent out if public bodies and agencies do not engage with the Department to gain access and provide broadband, which may assist in the provision of broadband in other areas?

I appeal to the Minister to consider what Deputy Coveney has put forward in the motion, to withdraw the amendment and work in a consensus fashion to deal with a problem which is difficult but which must be resolved in the interests of future employment opportunities in all of our constituencies.

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