Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I agree with what Deputy McGuinness has said. He has made very constructive points. One cannot argue with them.

National Broadband Ireland has made available, through its website, an indicative timeframe as to when its intervention area will be rolled out, whether that is in my constituency, Deputy McGuinness's constituency or any other constituency. People need to know when they can expect broadband to come into an area, but unfortunately it will take a period of time to roll out. The programme for Government has committed to an accelerated roll-out, but it will take a number of years. In acknowledgement of that, what has been identified are broadband connection points which are a key element of the national broadband plan. They provide high-speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll-out of fibre optic broadband door-to-door. In areas where it will be two or three years before intervention-led broadband is rolled out, broadband connection points have been identified. As of 1 July this year, 326 broadband connection points have been installed by National Broadband Ireland. The high speed broadband service will be switched on in these locations over the coming weeks and months. In County Kilkenny, there are broadband connection points in Graine Community Hall, Tullahought Parish Hall, Ballyouskill Parish Hall, Muckalee Handball Club, Crosspatrick Parish Hall and Galmoy Community Centre. They will help and assist, as Deputy McGuinness said, people who wish to work or study from home and need access to broadband. I take on board what Deputy McGuinness has said. I will undertake to relate the points he has raised today to the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, and come back to him.

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