Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach. I am delighted to be here. As the Minister, Deputy Naughten, highlighted, all Senators agree that high-speed broadband is a vital utility for continued economic development in both rural and urban areas across our country. It is clear from listening to the contributions of Senators that this House shares the strong desire of the Government to ensure that all areas, houses, premises, farms and businesses are connected to future-proofed and high-speed broadband and that it is delivered throughout Ireland as soon as possible.

The national broadband plan is not just about State intervention but, rather, combines a wide range of activities, some of which fall under my role as Minister of State. Under my portfolio, operators come to the table to engage with local authorities, the Department of Rural and Community Development and the mobile phone and broadband task force to identify issues and obstacles that arise as we embark on connecting all of Ireland. The report on activities for 2017 in that regard will be published next week. All local authorities have a dedicated broadband officer part-funded by my Department, other Departments and all stakeholders in the process, and the work of the broadband office is built on the foundations of the national broadband plan, which is at the core of this issue. The successes of those groups in terms of the work to improve efficiencies in planning applications, waivers in respect of development contributions for telecommunications development and the updating of planning exemptions are necessary measures to smooth the implementation of the roll-out. Work in those areas will continue and it is important to acknowledge that as a vital part of the national broadband plan.

As a rural Deputy representing Galway West, which includes parts of south Mayo and rural areas of Connemara, I remind the House that some of my constituents are frustrated with the lack of high-speed broadband in their areas. However, 80% of premises in my constituency will have access to high-speed broadband service by the end of this year. That figure would undoubtedly have been lower had the national broadband plan not been driving commercial investment in recent years. It is important to acknowledge that because there has been much commentary about Eir. Can it be said that Eir has delivered on broadband in recent years? Is there confidence that, absent a national broadband plan or the commitment of all parties in Dáil Éireann and the Government to push the national broadband plan, Eir would have delivered by now or would do so over the coming years? I cannot say it would.