Michael Harty (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The national broadband plan and the failure to roll it out is a matter of deep concern to my constituents in County Clare, as it is to those in many other constituencies, not least that of the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, in Galway. He understands the issue as well as everybody else. It is another example of Government promising but not delivering on major infrastructural projects. This erodes confidence in the Government's ability to do so. There is deep frustration in regional and rural Ireland not just among people living at the end of the line, but among people living in our county towns and villages and urban areas who cannot access high-speed broadband.

The failure to deliver high-speed broadband inhibits balanced regional development. It drives people from our regions into our congested cities and towns, where it is increasingly unaffordable to live. Broadband is not an optional extra but basic infrastructure that is necessary for prosperity, commercial activity and education.

The decision to carve off the 300,000 easiest connections from the national broadband plan and award them to Eir was the catalyst for Eir and SIRO deciding to withdraw from the tender process for the remaining 540,000 connections in the national broadband plan. SIRO and Eir deemed the remaining connections to be commercially non-viable. This decision was a strategic mistake which resulted in only one bidder headed by Granahan McCourt remaining. With only one bidder in place, this process cannot be deemed to be competitive. The composition of this bidder has changed substantially since its initial formation. In additional, there is considerable uncertainty as to whether this bidder can deliver. I believe Deputy Naughten's greatest failing was his enthusiasm to progress the project rather than any attempt to influence procurement and tendering.

Must we wait an interminable period of time for decision on whether the Minister will have to go back to the drawing board or continue with this process? What is the timeline for his decision in this matter?

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