Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

I thank the Deputy opposite for his noble words. I am reminded of the line from the poem, "i mBaile na Muc, Dé Sathairn, chailleamar an lá". Sibhse a chaill an toghchán deireanach. Cháin an Teachta cúrsaí leathanbhanda na tíre agus dúirt sé nach bhfuil leathanbhanda ag daoine ina cheantar féin. Ta súil agam go dtuigeann an Teachta gur ar a phairtí atá an milleán faoi sin.

I welcome very much what the Deputy has said about identifying the issues and the needs concerning broadband in his area. It is an important issue and in the past five weeks I have spent as much time as possible on the matter. The Deputy is correct in that it is unacceptable for people, whether living in his village or mine, not to have a proper broadband service. The history lesson takes in the Deputy's party; it is a history of a failure to deliver broadband or the services which people want. The difference between us is that this Government is committed to NewERA, which is a massive investment in broadband. Together with private enterprise, State and semi-State agencies, it will ensure that the Deputy's village and the other townlands mentioned will have a proper broadband service.

A note from Department officials has been circulated but I am happy to debate the key question of the rural broadband scheme in the time we have. It is my intention in the next number of weeks to announce a new rural broadband scheme to reach those locations with no broadband whatever. Depending on terrain, there may or may not be a broadband service. With business and enterprise, the Government must work with everybody to have an efficient and effective broadband service around the country so that everybody can compete.

The European target is that by 2020 there should be a 30Mbs broadband service in as many places as possible. In the circulated response there is mention of three towns in the Deputy's constituency that have a metropolitan area network. These are working but I point out - as I am sure the Deputy will - that we need everybody that can have a service in a metropolitan area network to avail of it. I hope to work with the Deputy and our colleagues in the House to bring that about. I am working with my Department officials on that plan as it is very important for us to have connectivity around the country and in metropolitan area networks to meet obvious needs.

If the fibre optic cable is in the ground, it should not be forever unused, as it was under the previous Government. We want to use the equipment fully. The Deputy can read the rest of the circulated response but I hope he found this contribution helpful.

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