Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

The speeds mandated are 1.2 MB for download and 200 kb upload. I have been informed that to date the technology is working. It provides those levels of service and above. Obviously, it varies according to distance from a mast and the level of contention at any time but we have minimum standards and they are being met. The roll-out is proceeding along the projected target timelines. It has not been easy and many difficulties have arisen in planning provisions for masts so meeting the timelines cannot be absolutely guaranteed but based on what has happened to date, we expect the end of year target will be very close to, if not above, the 48% of electoral divisions roll-out that we seek to achieve.

As I stated in my response to an earlier question, funding is dependent on the targets being met. There is a real contractual commitment that gives us certainty on the basic service levels we have put in place. The advantage we have in this area is that the technology has been further developed since the first version of the mobile broadband systems. This is a major project involving an investment by the company and the State of more than €200 million and I am informed that the technology is working well and to plan.

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