Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I want to raise the issue of broadband roll-out with the Taoiseach. This is critical infrastructure for homes and businesses across Roscommon, Galway and many rural areas across the State. We know that the target for National Broadband Ireland, NBI, for 2021 was reduced from 115,000 premises to 60,000. Both targets have been missed by a mile. We know that 34,500 premises were completed by the end of last year. There are no penalties built in when milestones are missed, unfortunately. Clearly, there is a real issue here when just over 34,000 premises were connected last year. I know that Covid-19 has been used as a reason. However, another telecommunications company, Eir, did not miss its targets last year and in fact it exceeded them. There is a commitment in the programme for Government to accelerate the roll-out. Can the Taoiseach tell me what the target is for this year? Will what was missed last year be caught up on? Where are we at now in broadband roll-out for homes and businesses across rural communities where it is so badly needed and overdue?

See this speech in context