Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)

In light of our dependence on providers for information, concerns have arisen about whether the national broadband scheme is subject to rigorous scrutiny. The scheme is in effect working from a false premise, that is, the famous but inaccurate map. I can cite an example from my constituency involving an unemployed man who invested €20,000 in setting up a small business. Before he made his investment, he was given confirmation that he would have broadband but the company involved subsequently informed him that it was unable to provide him with a service. He is desperate because his business is completely dependent on broadband. He contacted the ombudsman, ComReg and six broadband providers but every road leads back to Eircom. He has logged 18 calls with that company but cannot even speak to the same person twice let alone get an answer. ComReg has finally lodged an official complaint but the response will take ten days to issue. On paper, it appears that broadband is being provided in certain parts of the country but there appears to be no oversight by the Department of the reality on the ground. In the case I have outlined, a man's livelihood is dependent on the provision of broadband.

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