Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy O'Sullivan again for raising this issue and for the points he clearly makes regarding it. I share his frustration in respect of the providers and the issue of access to information as well as genuine customer service, which is a major frustration with people. I do not want to put a tooth in it: that is fully reflective of the situation on the ground. I believe the joint Oireachtas committee shone a light into this recently. We have a great deal of work to do to respond to that issue. It is something I get representations on every day in my constituency.

Covid-19 has highlighted the importance of good reliable broadband to ensure citizens throughout Ireland can avail of remote working, education and other essential online facilities. This is reflected in the commitments in the programme for Government. The delivery of the national broadband plan will be key to enable many of the policies envisaged, especially around increased levels of remote working. The national broadband plan will ensure citizens throughout the entire country will have access to high-speed broadband services. It will ensure no one is left without this vital service.

Despite the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, National Broadband Ireland continues to make steady progress on its deployment activities. As I mentioned before, over 136,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed to date. A total of 201 broadband connection points and schools have had connections installed by National Broadband Ireland. That is genuine progress.

The Government has committed to seek to accelerate the roll-out of the national broadband plan. In this regard, the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications continues to engage with National Broadband Ireland to explore the feasibility of accelerating aspects of the roll-out.

I will raise the issues put forward by Deputy O'Sullivan in respect of broadband and access to information with the Minister, Deputy Ryan, and reaffirm the views on the urgency of this for everyone in the House, including Deputy O’Sullivan, in terms of accelerating the roll-out of broadband. I fully appreciate that it is a key issue.

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