Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

In response to Deputy Crawford, we must consider what will be the next leap forward, the next crucial development. We must ensure we assist and develop broader digital technology changes that are occurring. The computer industry is moving from one where all the services are on a PC in an office or on a laptop to one where many services will be available on a network. Those in the computer industry refer to the need for ubiquitous access, easy accessibility to a network, if a country is to adapt to that computer world. The range of different applications and services may not require 100 megabyte speed; they may be a series of smaller applications but cumulatively they create a market and a demand for high broadband speed that is sustainable and commercially viable. To use a green metaphor, the strength of a tree is on the leaves as well as the backhaul or the trunk. It is vital to have ubiquitous access in Monaghan, Cavan and elsewhere through a range of different and often interoperable platforms, including mobile and fixed. A more open access network facilitates the development of other new digital technologies, be it a mobile device for broadcasting, games or other material or a basic and simple laptop that will draw down applications from the Internet rather than having its own hard disk.

The telecommunications industry must facilitate an imminent significant change in the computing industry. One will support the other. There will be a commercial case for the telecommunications operator through the myriad applications that are only now becoming apparent in the changing computing world. In many instances, the ubiquity, ease and flexibility of access is as important as speed.

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