Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

To clarify, those 15,500 premises in Tipperary and the 6,188 in Cork North West are rural premises in very small villages and at crossroads and rural farmhouses. We are currently passing one house every minute of every working day. That momentum will continue until every premises in this country has access to high-speed broadband. I am determined to make sure this is fulfilled. Deputy Moynihan is right to be sick and tired of people promising dates. I am sick to the eye teeth about that. My focus is on delivery. We are delivering pure fibre broadband to these homes. The types of speed they have in New York are now available in isolated rural communities throughout this country. That will continue until every one of these premises get it.

Deputy Healy asked what will happen in the meantime, before these premises get it. That is a legitimate question. I have just come from the most recent mobile broadband and wireless task force meeting. As we speak, we are rolling out infrastructure in 4G and wireless broadband services. Two weeks ago, I made an announcement regarding Eurona Ireland. Imagine is rolling out wireless services across the country. This is happening as we speak. People are getting access to services.

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Every single possible operator will provide as many options to people both in the short and medium term. I am determined to ensure every single premises will get this as quickly as possible and not one day later than is absolutely necessary. I am putting as much pressure on as I can to ensure that both the commercial and non-commercial aspects of this proceed without any delays so people can get broadband.

I ask Deputies to consider the facts. Within the next 76 weeks, as Minister I will have delivered broadband to one in every four premises in this country. That is on foot of the actions I have taken as Minister. I intend to continue with this until every single premises has broadband.

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