Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Of course what the Minister has outlined is very welcome. I am asking for a necessary assurance. I understand that, coincidentally, it is being reported today on local radio at home that the roll-out will not begin until late 2016. Will the Minister clarify that? The State element is vital because of the obstinacy of the commercial providers in failing to take on board the vast swathe of the population who live in the country and depend on broadband. It is critically important. I am not able to make international comparisons. Maybe the Minister can do so. We are talking about a period of five years to achieve this. Will the Minister give a sense of how it might be rolled out? Where will the initial works get under way? Why is there a delay until the end of the current year? That is what I was advised shortly before entering the Chamber.

Will the Minister elaborate on the points he has made, many of which I welcome? I want to be able to assure my constituents that this is a solid commitment that will not in any way falter in its delivery. That is the critical thing. I would like a guarantee regarding the development of broadband into the future. I want an assurance that the provision to be rolled out will keep pace with developments in technology and will not leave people who depend on the State roll-out at a disadvantage in future by comparison with the service currently provided by commercial interests.

I am responding positively to what the Minister has indicated. I want to see this project happen because it will be hugely important. In addition to having implications for the responsibilities of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, it offers the potential for the retention of existing jobs in rural Ireland and the creation of new opportunities for real jobs across rural Ireland. That is what broadband represents. I expect the Minister to confirm that there will be a real cross-departmental commitment behind this. If the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation is not taking a direct interest in this, I would expect that he will do so. I fully recognise the value and worth of what must and can be done. I hope the Minister is assuring us it will now be done as quickly as possible.

See this speech in context