Rónán Mullen (Independent)

I welcome the Minister. Like Senator Quinn, I express my appreciation of the Minister's optimism and vision and I welcome a number of the points he raised. In particular, the Minister stressed the importance of business and indicated that he envisions a future in which we will take both a co-operative and a competitive approach. He stated that he does not see these two coming into conflict with each other but that they are vital in the context of how we will deal with the challenge we face.

In recent years, when we were more conscious of our excellence from an economic perspective, we used to refer to the need to develop facilities in rural areas throughout Ireland. We also spoke about the importance of people in such areas being in a position to do business. In addition, we perceived this matter in eco-friendly terms, particularly in the context that provision of broadband would reduce excessive commuting to areas of high population density. At present, we have become distracted by more grave considerations. Nonetheless, the matters to which I refer remain real and significant issues.

The Minister will be aware of the views of Irish Rural Link, representatives of which made a presentation on the roll-out of broadband services to the Joint Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources earlier today. Irish Rural Link describes the national broadband scheme as the good, the bad and the inadequate. As the Minister knows, Irish Rural Link is of the view that the lack of broadband services in many areas adversely affects indigenous entrepreneurship and will jeopardise our economic recovery.

While the representatives of Irish Rural Link welcome the national broadband scheme, it is worth placing on record the concerns they raised. For example, they pointed out that 12,000 homes and business premises which cannot access broadband services are excluded from the national scheme and that provision has not been made in respect of them. The way in which the scheme has been rolled out on the basis of electoral areas means that some people who are already in a position to access broadband services will be included. In addition, those who live in electoral areas that are not included under the scheme will not be able to access services.

It is right that we should emphasise the importance of people doing business. However, it is not the case that we are ignoring people's domestic use of the Internet. I appreciate the Minister's vision of the development of a kind of participative, democratic community. There is no doubt that technology will be essential in the context of achieving this. Technology, including broadband services, will be vital with regard to enabling people's proper engagement as citizens of this country.

As everyone is aware, however, we operate in an economic context. It is a healthy economy that makes everything else possible. In light of this, we must ask what will be done for those who own the businesses that comprise the 12,000 homes and business premises which cannot access broadband services. Is there any way in which specific provision might be made for these businesses or households? Would it be possible to provide subsidies to households or businesses which might be able to prove that they are not in a position to access broadband services in a way that is economic?

I recognise that the success of the national broadband scheme will depend primarily on mobile broadband technology. Such technology has its advantages and its limitations. I accept that a minority of people will be able to access broadband by means of satellite technology. However, a large degree of subsidisation will be required in this regard. If we are serious about the importance of facilitating businesses in rural areas, we must take action in respect of the 12,000 businesses and households which cannot access broadband services.

The Minister will be aware that ComReg has questioned the reliability of mobile broadband technology. When it was first announced, it was stated that the national broadband scheme would provide universal broadband coverage. However, people's views in respect of it began to become more pessimistic. The Department began to describe it as a first step and stated that many of the issues raised in respect of it would be addressed by measures that would be introduced later. The Minister, when speaking in Silicon Valley, referred to the investment of €223 million as a gap measure. That is particularly disquieting because as part of its submission to the joint committee, Irish Rural Link highlighted case studies relating to two businesses, both of which have been severely challenged and frustrated by the lack of high quality broadband services.

I wish to sound a note of affirmation in respect of the Minister's vision, which I share, of a future where people participate. I particularly welcome the fact that he placed schools at the heart of his vision in the context of the role they can play in facilitating other members of the community in accessing broadband services. Will he indicate the position with regard to the 12,000 homes and businesses currently excluded from the scheme?