Phil Prendergast (Labour)

I welcome the Minister to the House. I formally second this timely motion which calls on the Government to restate its commitment to provide a comprehensive national broadband scheme to all of Ireland by 2010 and to ensure that the 12,000 rural homes and businesses not covered will have access to broadband. Severe disadvantage exists for small and medium enterprises that do not have access to broadband. Some have already gone out of business because they could not compete on the same level as businesses with a broadband connection.

All infrastructure concerning the roll-out of next-generation access to all parts of the network needs to be subject to fast-track planning rules. All schools, colleges and other educational institutions need priority in Government planning and tenders should be invited for the provision of wholesale high bandwidth access. All new housing developments, apartments and public buildings should have ducting in place to provide for ease of access to services providing broadband. That needs to form part of new building standards regulations and should also apply to new roads. Beautifully finished schemes must often be ripped up to allow for pipe laying and ducting, with a resultant disruption to businesses. We cannot afford such disruption in these times.

The variety of prices offered by providers of broadband access is mind-boggling. When we see television advertisements for what is available in the UK, it is apparent that we are suffering a severe price disadvantage.

I have met many people in rural areas who cannot get broadband. The national broadband scheme map is seriously flawed. It was set up on the basis that everyone within 5 km of an enabled exchange would be able to access broadband or avail of wireless connections, but that is not so. Issues such as the quality of copper wire and line of sight are also problematical factors for those trying to compete on a level playing field.

Ireland does not have competitors who are in a position to invest in the best systems, which places us at a severe disadvantage in these straitened times. Digital TV is widely available and there should be a means of using current technology to advance services to those who are currently denied them. The proposals by Irish Rural Link to address deficiencies in accessing broadband in rural areas should be implemented by the Minister as a matter of priority.

I would like to put on the record some facts about where we stand with broadband compared to other countries: Ireland is eighth of 18 for the average price per additional megabyte after reaching the bit/data cap; 28th of 30 for average advertised download speeds; 29th of 30 for the fastest advertised connection offered by the incumbent operator; and 28th of 30 for the fastest advertised connection available among all surveyed operators. The data are from October 2007.

The high prices charged by Eircom, which ComReg proposed, should be reduced. The European Commission's approval for "last mile" charges is welcome but it needs to go further. Funds should be directed to upgrading schools broadband with measurable criteria such as quality and consistency of service. The Department has acknowledged that while broadband in schools is vital, its impact is considerably blunted if children are unable to access broadband of comparable speed and quality at home.

Ireland is still the most expensive country in the world for telephone line rental charges. Long-term investment in Eircom's networks is required if we are to stay in the market for jobs and future investment.