Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important topic. Rural broadband is an issue that affects many people in my constituency. I have raised the issue in this House on many occasions. In Louth, areas such as Carlingford, Lordship, Faughart, Hackballscross, Kilkerley and Knockbridge, and many areas in the mid-Louth region, badly need a fast and reliable broadband service. It is vital that these areas are not overlooked and are provided with the same broadband services as their counterparts in urban areas.

Over the past number of weeks and months I attended many briefings by the various service providers, which informed us of various statistics available on broadband coverage. It simply unacceptable that time after time these providers will tell us that they have over 90% of the population covered. Even with 90% of the population covered, it still leaves 10% of the population not covered, and in almost every case this 10% of the population are located in rural areas. With this in mind, I welcome the national broadband plan. I welcome the fact that the awarding of the contract is expected in June 2017 and that within three years it is expected that 85% coverage will be achieved, with 100% coverage within five years. However, I wish to put on record my concern that the gap-funding ownership model has been chosen. My concern is that we will not have ownership of this network after the initial 25 years. I understand the reasons for choosing the gap-funding model over the full concession model, but I want to put on record my concerns on this issue.

I welcome the fact that we now have a national broadband plan and a timeframe to cover all premises that currently do not have access to high speed broadband. I look forward to the day when all premises in County Louth, particularly those in the rural areas of mid-Louth, Hackballscross, Knockbridge, Lordship, Faughart and Carlingford, will have access to high speed broadband that is on a par with their counterparts in the larger urban areas.

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