Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)

I should like to share time with Senator Pearse Doherty and I shall take only a couple of minutes. I welcome the Minister, Deputy Ryan, to the House and wish him the very best in his portfolio. I have no doubt he is very interested in the present debate. I compliment Senator Ross and the Independent Senators on tabling the motion. Senator Ross made the point that a very similar motion had been tabled about 12 months ago, and this shows how little has been done since. I am very disappointed at the Government's response to the motion. It should withdraw the amendment because it is an insult to the motion tabled by the Independents since very little has been done in the past year as regards broadband.

As a latecomer to the Internet, I see it as the new superhighway, the place where everyone has to be. Parts of this country are at a major disadvantage from an industrial viewpoint, in terms of setting up enterprises. They urgently need access to broadband. Senator Walsh said that 85% of the people had broadband. Yet the Minister of State, Deputy Terry Killeen, in his contribution claimed that only 18% were paid-up broadband customers. Large gaps exists between what the Government states and what Government Senators state. We are all aware of the reality of the poor take up of broadband. The reasons for the poor take up are that it is not available and it is expensive. I agree with Senator Kelly that the Government should subsidise broadband. Many people on low incomes could do with such a subsidy. It is the new information superhighway and it is badly needed.

Many places avail of conference calling to all parts of the world. However, without broadband a large area of the country is at a major disadvantage. People fly to hotels in Ireland to take up conference calls and one should be able to do this in every corner of the country.

Will the Minister ask the Government Senators to withdraw the amendment? I support my colleague, Senator Joe O'Reilly, who stated that the only way forward is to go forward together and for the Government to withdraw its amendment.

Northern Ireland has had major success in providing broadband throughout the length and breadth of the Six Counties. This was done through its old post office structure. The Minister should examine our post office system and use it or the old exchanges to bring broadband to the most rural parts of the country. I have no doubt it can be done here in the same way as it was done in Northern Ireland.