Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Mattie McGrath for bringing the motion before the House. I also acknowledge those who work with Deputy Mattie McGrath, particularly his daughter, Ms Maureen McGrath, and their efforts on this Private Members' motion. I thank the Minister and his officials, who helped us as a group on the motion.

I am not alone in saying that we are in an ever-changing world and society. We, like many others from my generation, find ourselves adapting to the new technologies that were not present when we were growing up, from computers, laptops and iPhones to e-mails, Facebook and Twitter. It is far from the day when we would have to go to the neighbours' house as they were the only ones in the village who had a television or a phone at the time if we needed to get a message to someone in our neighbouring town or village. Not only do we as a society have to adapt to this, but we as Members of the Oireachtas, along with the Minister and the Government, must ensure adequate basic needs are provided to the citizens of this country. When I say "basic" I mean it because in the world we live today, Internet access in just a vital now as the water supply or sewerage facilities in a home. It is as basic as that. In today's world, when one is seeking a site to build on or a place to rent, one of the main questions asked is whether there will be proper Internet access at the location.

Access to high speed broadband is fundamental to the economic, social, cultural and the educational needs of our citizens but especially in rural Ireland, which has been extremely neglected when it comes to broadband connectivity. The national broadband plan, first published in August 2012, has been repeatedly delayed. The plan was to be completed in 2020 and now that will not happen. The Minister will get it done. The Government does not realise the real effect this is having on people's lives. My office gets calls daily with the general complaint being that fibre optic broadband is being installed less than 1 km away but it is bypassing the constituent.

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