Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The best-case scenario is that it will be 2016 or 2017 before anything starts to be delivered. As such, it will be 2020 or beyond before many regions get proper fibre broadband. This is an unfortunate story to have to tell them while the rest of the country is moving ahead. Little can happen in those areas in terms of developing business or enjoying the types of service for which broadband is essential.

We are nearly four years into the Government's term, but it is only now doing a mapping exercise. Matters have moved exceptionally slowly and there will be little further movement over the next year. For a long time, it has been clear that broadband will not be delivered in many parts of the country without State intervention. There were plenty of places, such as urban centres, where it was debatable as to whether the private sector would become involved and the Government was to see what happened. It is important that broadband be provided without delay, as areas are falling further behind without it.

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