Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. I wrote to the Department some time ago and I awaited a response on the roll-out of broadband. I fully accept that the Department and Minister have done much work in the area, which is welcome.

This area has seen a number of new estates being built and normally we think about water or sewerage services, although we insert no stipulation regarding the provision of telecommunications services. This is an unusual case, as there is an inadequate phone line and the area cannot access mobile phone coverage. It is a major issue for approximately 250 families, many of which have young people in college. One person working for the ambulance service bought a new house and sometimes he cannot be contacted when he is on-call.

He is at a huge disadvantage and he is very concerned about it. I have left a copy of the Eircom letter with the Minister. I ask him to ensure that it would be looked at and if at all possible that something would be done to try to bring it in under the remit of the broadband roll-out but also to get Eircom involved. I know it is not physically possible to force Eircom to do it but representations will be made. I thank the Minister for his contribution.