Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Mo bhuíochas don Rural Alliance, mar mhol siad an rún seo agus táim fíorbhuíoch go bhfuil seans agamsa labhairt ar an ábhar tábhachtach seo. Go n-éirí leis an Aire in a phost nua.

The provision of high speed broadband to rural Ireland will make a huge contribution to the much needed regeneration of rural communities. It is also clearly the entitlement and right of those communities. However, the decision to opt for a privatisation model is short-sighted, deeply flawed and will ultimately cost the State and consumers much more in the future.

There is also widespread concern at the length of time that will now be needed to provide broadband access to all parts of the State. Last December, the former communications Minister, Alex White, told me in response to a parliamentary question that there are still 15,000 premises in County Louth to be covered by the new arrangement. The availability of broadband to that constituency will now be dependent upon the private sector provider. Six months ago, Alex White predicted that 85% of addresses in the State would have access to high speed services by 2018 with all addresses being covered by 2020. The current Minister, Deputy Naughten's scheme would see that framework pushed back to 2022. Given the way these timeframes have been changed, how confident can we be that this new one will be met? When can households and businesses in Louth expect to be fully included in broadband?

Let me reiterate our opposition to the Government's privatisation proposal. Our firm belief is that broadband should be retained in State ownership.

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