Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit agus gabhaim buíochas leis as an reachtaíocht seo a lagadh os ár gcomhair. Tacaím leis an mBille ach, mar a bheadh an tAire Stáit ag dúil leis, tá roinnt ceisteanna agam ina thaobh agus cuirfidh mé iad anois.

We welcome the Bill and I have to ask why we are only now discussing using existing infrastructure for the roll-out of telecommunications. Sinn Féin has asked the Government to explore the possibility of progressing the national broadband plan, which I presume is a State broadband plan, through State ownership, given the disarray which exists in the procurement process. There is only one bidder left and this leaves the entire plan in utter chaos.

The effects of the decision to privatise the State company Telecom Éireann in the past has had a negative impact on citizens and telecommunications services. State ownership would have facilitated a less complex and possibly less expensive roll-out of broadband and broadband services. There are many possibilities open to the Government now to continue the roll-out of high-speed broadband, including gas lines, railway lines and main haul lines which have already been completed. All of these could be used to bring high-speed broadband to areas which in 2018 have no regular and reliable access to high-speed broadband services.

We have asked that the Government explores the feasibility of using existing State infrastructure held by the ESB for the future roll-out of broadband. I see in the briefing note from the Department that it is stated that Shell EP will gift fibre optic connection to the State in 2018. Who shouldered the vast majority of the cost of building the duct in the first place? Is this really a gift and will the State benefit? What impact will the Bill have on the national broadband plan? The programme for Government has a commitment to provide broadband to every house and business in the country - I presume it means State - by 2020. How will the Bill speed up that process?