Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

First, I wish the Ministers, Deputies Denis Naughten and Heather Humphreys, the best in dealing with this critical issue. The issue of broadband provision is a national emergency for Ireland. There are a significant number of rural areas throughout the country that do not have adequate coverage.

I understand the scale of the projects in terms of balancing state aid rules with the private sector and State provision, which can be difficult. However, I welcome that the mapping process has been completed throughout the country and that we are going to tender, because it is important that this provision is not delayed any further.

This is a critical issue for sustaining rural areas. For example, in a small village in north Westmeath there is a large manufacturing plant called Mr. Crumb, which serves the whole community by providing significant employment. It has won numerous business awards throughout the country and, indeed, exports to many European countries. However, it cannot get high speed broadband. That is a considerable challenge the company faces every day of its existence. Broadband is obviously critical to the sustainability of rural areas.

Another issue I have been faced with is that a number of the pupils in local schools have been unable to submit homework and projects as they live in rural areas. Essentially, they cannot get their projects in on time because their parents must bring them to rural centres which are covered by broadband. That is not good enough in this day and age. It is critical that a solution to this problem is not delayed any further and that we get the top-quality communications and broadband that the citizens deserve.

See this speech in context