Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Last week the Minister, Deputy Naughten, told the Dáil that he did not expect the first homes to be connected to the State broadband scheme until after Eir had concluded a commercial contract connecting 300,000 rural homes to broadband. Can the Taoiseach confirm this? Can he also confirm that over half a million customers in rural areas will not see the roll out of rural broadband commence until at least 2019, after this commercial scheme is completed? Does the Taoiseach accept reports that claim that it could now be 2023 or 2024 before many of these 500,000 homes and businesses see any progress towards linking them to broadband? In the context of Brexit and its likely impact on agriculture, the agrifood industry, fishing communities and rural communities, the failure by Government to deliver broadband places rural Ireland at a distinct economic and social disadvantage. It shows once again that people in rural areas are treated like second class citizens.

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