Joe Cooney (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Healy-Rae, for his response. I welcome the meeting held with the ESB and I hope action will be taken sooner rather than later.

There is also a serious issue as regards Internet connections and phone lines. I hope further consultation will take place with National Broadband Ireland and Eir because I am aware of businesses and residents in certain parts of my county and the west where phone lines and Internet services are still out. That is not good enough in this day and age. We are all well aware of the importance of Internet and phone lines, especially for elderly people. I am aware of one elderly woman of 92 years of age who has a mobile phone but, unfortunately, no network cover and her landline is not working. Luckily enough, the neighbours are calling to help her out, but she is now almost five weeks without those services. As I said, these services are vital, not alone to elderly people but to everybody. I hope the Ministers also had consultations with NBI and Eir to see what can be done to fast-track the restoration of the Internet and phone lines in the areas still affected and, more so, for businesses and residents, especially elderly people.

As far as I am concerned, now is the time for less talk and more action. Consumers do not want to have to experience the same difficulties they have experienced over the past five weeks. After the recent storm, the lessons have been learned. It is now time to deliver.

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