Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Rabbitte, is unable to attend today due to a prior commitment. As Deputy Kyne pointed out, the question he has posed is shared between the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. I will try as best I can to respond to the issues he raised.

The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport has indicated to the House previously that there is no policy or plan to develop the concept of a so-called western arc or indeed a so-called eastern arc. The Government's policy on the funding of capital projects to 2016, including rail and road links, is set out in the document Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2012-16: Medium Term Exchequer Framework. Due to the overall reduction in funding for transport infrastructure, the priority to 2016 is to protect the investment made to date and maintain safety standards. The limited funding available over and above this priority will be provided only for projects which are affordable, meet overall transport objectives and deliver the best return in terms of economic recovery and job creation.

In the energy area, the Government Policy Statement on the Strategic Importance of Transmission and Other Energy Infrastructure underlines the importance of investment in energy infrastructure. The statement notes that our ability to rebuild the economy, deliver the regional development Deputy Kyne mentioned, create jobs and growth, ensure general well-being and realise the economic potential of our renewable energy resources requires such investment.

EirGrid has a major commitment to upgrading and putting in place new infrastructure all over the west of Ireland, which supports economic growth. The €240 million Grid West project consists of a new high-capacity power line linking the Bellacorick area in County Mayo to Flagford in County Roscommon and Cashla in County Galway. This project is part of EirGrid's GRID25 plan to upgrade the national transmission system between now and 2025. The Grid West project will connect the electricity generated by the region's major renewable energy resources and will facilitate significant job creation and investment as well as contributing to national recovery and growth.

Considerable public and private sector investment in telecommunications has already been made in the western arc region. Bord Gáis has installed fibre-optic cabling along the route of its gas pipeline from Cork to Galway via Ennis, Shannon and Limerick. ESB and larnród Éireann also provide backhaul services in the region. Project Kelvin provides direct international telecommunications connectivity to North America and Europe and links Letterkenny to Derry and Belfast. The national broadband scheme provides basic broadband services. I am delighted that all post primary schools in the region and in all of Ireland will be connected with 100 Mbps broadband by September 2014.

Metropolitan area fibre networks have been built in 47 towns in the western region, providing high-capacity services to telecommunications operators in these locations. Telecommunications operators are also investing in advanced broadband services. Deputy Kyne rightly pointed out the significant challenge we face in delivering a high-quality broadband service to the whole of Ireland, including the western seaboard. The Government's national broadband plan aims to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring high-speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses through a combination of commercial investment and State intervention.

It is clear that despite the economic downturn, the Government and industry remain committed to investing in the western region. We are committed to building on the region's considerable potential for growth, particularly in the energy area, and by facilitating greater connectivity, the Government is focused on maximising the opportunities for development in the western arc region.

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