Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

I merely want to record the current chaotic state of broadband infrastructure in my constituency of Laois-Offaly. During the lifetime of the country and group broadband scheme, which the Government abolished in 2006, a substantial amount of money was given to various Internet providers to help them meet the costs of providing Internet access on broadband in the midlands. A broadband co-ordinator for the midlands was appointed but a short time after the appointment the post was abolished.

Under the GBS, a number of towns and villages in counties Laois and Offaly allegedly gained access to broadband. This merely was a work of fantasy. The so-called broadband mapping which was subsequently undertaken by the Department will show that broadband is available in much, if not all, of my constituency. However, this is far from the case because the methodology used for the mapping means that in areas where some homes and businesses have broadband, all homes and businesses in the area are deemed to have broadband. This is hugely problematic as many people in areas where broadband is theoretically available do not have de facto access to it. This is because the fixed wireless broadband provided can be obstructed by objects such as trees and buildings. One house may have broadband access where a neighbour is deprived of the facility. Depriving hard working people who pay their taxes of what is, in effect, a basic necessity in this day and age is simply not acceptable.

A disjointed, ill-thought out approach by the Government has left us at the bottom of the pile in terms of broadband availability. The latest survey, as outlined by Deputy Coveney, shows us ranking 12 out of 15, a dismal record for a country as wealthy as Ireland with such an open economy and such close ties to transnational companies.

For the people I represent in Laois and Offaly, broadband is necessary for so many aspects of day-to-day existence — education, work, research, simple things like renewing insurance, booking flights, applying for a driving test, keeping in touch with friends and family. Above all, good broadband access is essential if rural areas in the midlands are to be thriving communities rather than commuter ghost towns.

There are a number of small businesses in my constituency. These people are dependent on the Internet for the success of their business. They simply cannot survive in rural locations without the global research the Internet gives them. If we want entrepreneurs to locate in rural areas of the midlands in Laois-Offaly to provide employment and renewed vitality to areas we must ensure we have world class broadband infrastructure. That is why the policy published by Deputy Coveney is so valuable and that is why the initiative undertaken by the Deputy is so important. I appeal to the Minister to take its recommendations on board.

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