Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I assure the House I will not get involved in the Kilkenny-Waterford battle. We have enough problems of our own in Clare. Decisions were made and decisions are made for various reasons. One that was made in the mid-1990s - the decision to privatise Eircom - was a fundamental mistake. If that had not happened, we would have the infrastructure to provide high-speed broadband to every home in the country. However, it did happen.

The decision made in 2017-2018 by the previous Government to sign the national broadband plan for €3 billion, I think, was roundly criticised by people and unfairly because it was the right decision. As time has gone on, and with Covid and people working remotely, I think we would all agree that €3 billion was value for money for providing broadband to every home in the country. Every home in the country deserves high-speed broadband, just as every home deserves water and electricity. That is how important it is.

There are operational difficulties with areas where commercial providers are supposed to provide services but do not or are not in a position to do so for one reason or another. In that scenario, it behoves the State to provide a broadband service. I have no doubt the Minister of State is committed to delivering this but a review of the national broadband contract would be worthwhile because there are operational difficulties which need to be addressed. Explanations are needed for why certain homes are not getting connected. There is one particular group of houses in Ballyvaughan in County Clare that are not getting broadband. Eir is not providing it and the householders cannot get broadband. I would like an explanation for that. Maybe the Minister of State could check that out on my behalf because I am not getting answers and nor are the people who are living in that particular group of houses.

Broadband is fundamental to balanced regional development. It facilitates working from home, equips people to reduce their carbon footprint and have a healthier work-life balance, creates a healthier environment and gives people more time to spend with their families and in their communities rather than travelling. Once we all accept the principle that broadband has the same importance as water and electricity, it is up to us as a Government and society to deliver it and make it happen. I wish the Minister of State well in that pursuit. I know that those are the goals to which he is also committed.