Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important motion and commend my colleague, Deputy Coveney, for tabling it. The Fine Gael motion is very detailed, running to two pages, and seeks positive action from the Government to ensure the roll-out of broadband to all parts of the country, which is extremely important. Unfortunately, there has been no sense of urgency to date from the Government on this issue. Meanwhile, we are at the bottom of the league tables on broadband quality, penetration and price, which is simply not good enough.

On broadband speed, an area in which Ireland's performance is at its worst, the latest OECD figures from October 2007 place us in 33rd position out of 35 OECD countries, ahead only of Mexico and Turkey. Relative to our neighbours in the UK, who have 10.6 mbps, Ireland only has 3 mbps, which is very worrying. The lack of quality broadband is affecting our competitiveness, as stated by Fine Gael's enterprise spokesman, Deputy Varadkar. It is causing great difficulty for businesses throughout the country. It is also outrageous that while broadband in Ireland is three times slower than the rest of the EU, it is far more expensive than in other countries.

A proper broadband service is needed if companies are to operate efficiently. It would allow companies to communicate, via broadband, with their customers in many different parts of the world, which was unimaginable in the past. A proper broadband service is also a consideration when businesses are deciding where they will locate. The absence of such a service in many rural areas is not good for our competitiveness or for those particular areas.

Fine Gael has drawn up a document outlining ten steps to making Irish broadband better. I urge the Government to read that document. In my own constituency of Dublin North-East, which is only seven miles from Leinster House, broadband service is very patchy, particularly in the Howth area. Some of my constituents have to use the dial-up or the mobile service, although with the latter, calls often drop. It is not helpful for businesses trying to work in such an environment.

We should also ensure that we learn lessons from the past and do not siphon off money for other initiatives, as with the €10 million that was taken from the broadband budget for the greener homes scheme last October. We should ensure that more money is invested in broadband to make us more competitive. It is no good giving us words, we on this side of the House want to see action.

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