Pearse Doherty (Sinn Fein)

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir Paddy Burke as ucht a chuid ama a roinnt liom. I commend the Independent Senators on bringing this motion before the House. It is timely and apt to discuss this motion after having had a discussion on the supports necessary for small and medium enterprises to flourish in a modern Ireland. A key element for any business to flourish and develop is the provision of broadband. A number of years ago we would have considered the provision of broadband as a luxury. Today, it is as necessary as running water or electricity to businesses and individuals.

The Government has not taken this issue seriously. An OECD report shows we are listed 22nd in terms of broadband penetration. Other reports show broadband here is more expensive than in other countries and that the type of broadband we have available is of an inferior quality to that in neighbouring countries. While we all seek our own slice of the pie in an expanding Europe, it is important that we are able to compete at an international level.

Not only have we failed with regard to delivering broadband to the island of Ireland, we also have an east-west divide in terms of broadband penetration. A report issued from AMAS shows the digital divide. According to the 2006 census statistics, the counties of Donegal, Leitrim, Roscommon, Longford and Cavan all have less than 10% broadband penetration. This is not acceptable in the 21st century. If we examine the statistics on poverty and unemployment, these counties also have the highest percentage of unemployment. A direct connection exists between the provision of basic infrastructure such as broadband and the fact that businesses are not able to survive or flourish in today's environment.

Over a series of months, I was approached by three individuals in Donegal who wish to establish in their own homes businesses which would rely on communications through the broadband network. They are hampered in doing so because the service does not exist. It is available in some places but not in the areas in which people require it. Working mothers who wish to work from home and come off the live register cannot do so because broadband is not available.

An individual wishes to establish a company and employ people but he cannot access broadband in the location at which he wishes to establish his business. A woman in west Donegal works with an American industry on the American clock. She can provide the service from her home but because broadband is not available she must travel ten miles in the middle of the night and rent out accommodation in a town which costs her money. We have not done enough.

I encourage the Government parties to withdraw the amendment and to recognise that not enough has been done. This boils down to the privatisation of Eircom. We had it within our grasp to roll out broadband on a national basis but we decided to allow venture capitalists to make money on the back of Eircom instead of considering the national interest in providing a broadband backbone throughout the Twenty-six Counties.