Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

We did not recover from the disaster of the privatisation of Telecom Éireann and the fact that it was ripped off successively purely for the purpose of asset stripping and taking money from it, meaning that the investment was not made when we had competitive advantage. While that is history now, it is something that must be corrected. The EU targets are that every household would have 30 megabits by 2020 and I am satisfied that we will easily achieve that. I am satisfied that by 2013 every house will have broadband. The private sector is making an investment of €400 million to €500 million going into the enhancement of quality at the moment. I am satisfied that we will comfortably beat the targets. I accept Deputy Twomey's basic contention that there are parts of the country where the quality is not yet good enough. I had the opportunity to launch the metropolitan area network in Claremorris on Friday night. Deputy Ó Cuív's Government spent €177 million in putting in the fibre optic networks in 94 towns, but all these years later only approximately 30 of them are lit. Was it the most prudent investment? I accept it was well intentioned, but based on the experience, it is a matter of some concern. I am working with e|net to improve it.

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