Phil Prendergast (Labour)

I welcome the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Eamon Ryan, to the House and thank Senator Shane Ross for doing the Minister's job by introducing this Bill.

Despite the small improvements to broadband services, there are still large parts of the country without access to broadband. I encountered much frustration about this when canvassing during the previous general election. Many people get frustrated when they see television advertisements for broadband services abroad at competitive prices, which lead to some uncomplimentary comments about the Irish provision of services. Ireland is the worst country in Europe for broadband delivery.

The targets set out in the Bill seem reasonable but I am concerned the aim to achieve 100% broadband access nationwide would include satellite and wireless providers that provide a service adequate for most domestic users. These two platforms, however, are generally regarded as not being as reliable for businesses as a copper wire based service. A high bit rate fast DSL service delivered to existing copper wire telephone lines would be admirable.

Members have proposed the establishment of another agency to co-ordinate broadband roll-out. In the current economic climate, such a proposal could be a problem and it already is the Minister's and ComReg's job. The proposal to create a national broadband network could be used to take the heat off the Minister when the targets contained in the Bill might not be met.