Brian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

On page 38 of the programme for Government, the Government committed to "deliver on our commitment to bring next generation broadband to every house and business in the country by 2020". It obviously meant "in the State by 2020". That is 17 months away. It has been promised by this Government, the previous Government and the one before that. I heard the Taoiseach giving figures recently. According to the Department, 540,000 households and businesses are still waiting in rural Ireland. Job creation and employment is being held up in rural counties like Laois and Offaly. Commuting distances have increased. In Laois, 11,500 people commute long distances from the county, mainly in this direction, every morning.

The Taoiseach needs to take an interest in the tendering process, in which only one company, enet, is left. It appears to be in serious difficulty. The date for the completion of the process has been postponed repeatedly because it is a legal and logistical nightmare. When will the national broadband plan be signed off and rolled out? This is important for rural Ireland.

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