Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I very much welcome the Bill which will allow the ESB to use its distribution network to deliver fibre services to the telecommunications market and engage in the installation and operation of electronic communications networks and services, either alone or in conjunction with another company. As a rural Deputy from the Cavan-Monaghan constituency, I am very well aware of the huge disadvantage it is for businesses, communities, householders and young people not to have access to high speed broadband.

I have raised this matter with the Minister on many occasions and I am really pleased the ESB's extensive electricity networks will have the ability to extend high quality broadband throughout the country but particularly to rural Ireland which has proved to be very problematic in the past. This proposal makes good common sense and people in rural Ireland will be able to move into the 21st century in terms of telecommunications.

As we know, broadband is now an essential utility like water or power. To survive in today's world we need high speed reliable broadband. I agree that there was extensive investment in broadband by previous Governments, but it did not deliver to rural Ireland in the way it should have and we were left behind. I have lost count at this stage of the number of occasions I have been approached by individuals and businesses regarding broadband services. The problem always seems to be the same; if one is too far from the local exchange, the quality of broadband seems very poor.

The topography of County Monaghan, with its drumlins, makes it very difficult for people to use wireless broadband. I know of one particular business which employs 32 people and the lack of quality broadband in the area causes great difficulties and expense. This business availed of the national broadband scheme, but as it is a commercial enterprise, it was of little benefit to it. While the national broadband scheme may guarantee broadband access, unfortunately, the reality is it is at very limited speeds and for this business, it means that any major software upgrade has to be done on site, rather than by remote access, which results in considerable extra costs. To access broadband the owner must pay €600 a month for an ISDN line which is of only limited ability and use to him. The problem is that fibre optic broadband is available across the Border, only four miles away in Caledon, County Tyrone, and as a result, the owner is seriously considering relocating his business to Northern Ireland, which is certainly not something I would like to see happen. The major issue is that in the era in which we live if rural areas are unable to avail of a high quality broadband service, they will simply not be able to compete when it comes to attracting investment and new businesses. Virtual businesses, online sales and e-commerce are vital amenities for any start-up business. At a time when we are trying to make Ireland the best small country in the world in which to do business, we absolutely need to ensure an adequate broadband service is available throughout the country, not just in the major cities.

Recently I met a lady with an excellent proposal for an online business through developing the concept of a virtual assistant whereby somebody could work from home serving a business in the United States or anywhere in the world. This would be particularly important for women who want to say at home and look after a family. They could juggle their work hours with their childminding needs. What is most important for the business is access to high speed broadband because without it, one could not work from home. Access to the Internet provides huge opportunities. We badly need such innovation and entrepreneurial spirit, but without high speed broadband, it cannot be done.

I came across the case of a mother who had wireless broadband and used to drive her child to urban areas to access broadband on a laptop to do homework or engage in project research. There is a broadband deficit in Ireland along the lines of a rural-urban split. The Bill will allow this to change and bring huge benefits to rural Ireland through the provision of broadband. I very much welcome the Bill and commend the Minister for bringing it forward.

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