Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Is it nearly time that the Government considered a public service obligation for broadband, similar to that for voice telephony which the Minister mentioned, such that broadband must be delivered to every community? The time is coming for serious action on this.

I raised this as a Topical Issue matter some weeks ago in respect of Banteer. I am inundated with queries from communities, including Castlemagner, in north Cork and from Rockchapel where there is no broadband in the school.

We need to see the Commission for Communications Regulation and the Minister getting involved as part of a whole-of-government approach to this issue, which is critical if we are to ensure there is sustainability within local communities. I welcome the Minister's statement that he will take a hands-on approach and that the Department will play a lead role. It is time to look at what we can do from a legislative perspective to ensure broadband is accessible to every household in the State.

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