Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I welcome also the opportunity to contribute to the debate on this Bill. There is no need for me to go over the ground covered in excellent speeches on broadband by various Members of the Seanad. It is not the first time that Members of this House have raised the issue of broadband. Senator Ross has raised it on numerous occasions in recent years but we appear to be in the same position we were in a number of years ago.

There is no need for me to make the case regarding the value of broadband to this country, particularly to the remote areas. While the cities have a reasonable level of service, the rural areas have little or no service, something that was pointed out by various Members. I live three miles from Castlebar, which is one of the hub towns and which does not have a broadband service. I know what it is like to try to access the Internet which breaks down every ten minutes or so, just when one has found the information one is seeking. Such problems are not uncommon among small businesses in rural areas. This is one of the challenges they face and we must ask how they can compete on the world stage when they are such a disadvantage.

I am disappointed by the Minister's indication that he will not accept the Bill. The explanatory memorandum to it is written in plain English and sets out how the legislation is structured. The Bill contains clear guidelines in respect of the powers laid down and the targets that should be achieved within a given period. I compliment Senator Ross who spent a great deal of time and invested much effort in bringing this Bill forward.

The Bill is a revelation because it sets down clear targets. There is an unusual aspect to it in the context of the way the proposed board would be structured and how it and the Minister would be accountable to the Houses of the Oireachtas and the relevant joint committee thereof. Even if only for that aspect, we should take the opportunity to see how the Bill might work in principle. During the 15 years I have been a Member of the House, I have not come across a Bill which stipulates that a board be constituted in the way outlined, that each member thereof must obtain two thirds majority support of the members of the relevant Oireachtas joint committee and that said board would be accountable right down the line. Such a development would be great.

The Minister, Deputy Ryan, considers matters in an innovative way. However, I am disappointed that he will not be accepting the Bill. I admire the principle behind the legislation and it is my opinion that we should measure other Bills against it. I again compliment Senator Ross on this excellent legislation which I am happy to support. I would be interested in seeing how matters might develop in the future if it were accepted. There is much other legislation which could be brought forward in the same vein as that introduced by Senator Ross. I hope the Senator will push this matter all the way to a vote. This and the Lower House have debated the issue of broadband for many years. Senator Ross has brought forward a fantastic Bill and it should be accepted.