Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Sa chúpla nóiméad atá agam, ba mhaith liom caint faoi ghné áirithe den cheist seo, is é sin na fadhbanna atá ag muintir na n-oileán maidir le leathanbhanda. I know about this from my long association with Oileán Chléire but I think it applies to all islands. We know the difficulties and challenges facing rural Ireland, but they are compounded for those living on our islands. I hope the Minister will have the opportunity to visit some of them and hear at first hand. There is no doubt about the difference that high speed broadband will make in maintaining, supporting and advancing island life, thus enabling people to stay and encouraging others to consider island life. Having quality broadband will help create a more level playing field between island life and mainland life. It would mean additional activities and resources for children in primary schools and a bit of equality when it comes to extracurricular activities, because we know that for islands to continue, primary schools must last. Bad weather can prevent the ferry from running. We think about students on those islands who do not have a second level school there. They are prevented from getting to school, particularly leaving certificate students. Opportunities for online learning and adult education are other factors. There is so much that we can do during the evenings that we take for granted, but people living on the islands cannot do these things.

The same is true of work. I have met islanders who have moved in and who have businesses but who depend on broadband for translation, language consultancy, database applications and e-books, so having that broadband will enable them to stay on the islands. There are benefits for other businesses, such as the shops, the comharchumann and the ferry. The islands quite bizarrely lost out on the Wild Atlantic Way, so one can think about the scope offered by webcam live screening on the beauty of island life and the archeological sites. There is also the opportunity for a digital repository of island life, not to mention the advantages of what islanders in the Gaeltacht areas can do.

In the area of health care, there is the opportunity for the tele-health option, web-based health-related activities and medics, and islanders making those decisions without either of them having to make a 45-minute boat journey. The same is true with veterinary tele-health.

Can the Minister tell me if there is a specific strategy to service offshore islands? We know that cities and urban centres have excellent Internet speeds and distribution, but that is masking the problems for rural Ireland. Rural broadband is not a luxury - it is a necessity - and fair play to the Rural Alliance for giving us an opportunity to speak on this issue.

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