Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We do not have legislation on it but the fact of the matter is that there is an extraordinary amount of work going on in the area. Everybody appreciates the potential value of broadband. There are many areas in the country in which it is grossly inadequate. Over €2 billion has been invested by the industry in upgrading telecoms, networks and services over the past four years. About 1.3 million homes and businesses can access high-speed broadband of at least 30 Mbps. This is not confined to urban areas and towns. Many areas throughout the country have that consistency of speed. However, it is clearly inadequate. As Deputy Martin is aware, the Government changed the legislation that allowed for a service provider to work with another entity. In this case, Vodafone and ESB amalgamated to form SIRO. It is now in the business of providing 56,000 homes with high-speed broadband. Eir itself has invested heavily over the last period. The Government has done a very extensive amount of work in preparation for a most complex tender to allow for a roll-out of a competition to supply all of those other areas that are beyond the commercial capacity of the industry providers. That is going to involve very extensive trenching to bring fibre directly to the home, consisting of fibre to the cabinet, which a distance from every home. It will be next year before it is completed and before the tender can be issued. Whoever wins that will commence a roll-out. It is not legislation. The Minister, Deputy Naughten, has been quite detailed on this. He can send the Deputy the up-to-date provisions if the Deputy wishes.

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