Written answers

Tuesday, 22 September 2020

Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Telecommunications Infrastructure

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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78. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his objectives in bringing the quality and standard of communication networks here up to best international standards with particular reference to high-speed broadband and mobile telephone coverage and quality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25027/20]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As set out in the Programme for Government, ensuring access to high-quality internet connections for people across Ireland is essential to the development of all parts of our country, socially and economically. High speed connectivity will support a broad range of policy priorities and will allow for : the expansion of remote health monitoring and diagnosis; cloud based services and connected devices; digital learning; smart farming; and realisation of the benefits of e-government. Facilitating remote working and innovation opportunities is essential for addressing climate change, adapting in an evolving economy, and competing internationally.

The Programme for Government also commits to the development of a new National Digital Strategy. This strategy will ensure that  the increased level of national connectivity being delivered by the NBP is utilised; to drive digital transformation in the public service; to develop new digital technologies including cloud computing and artificial intelligence; and explore how Ireland can be at the forefront of protecting citizens rights in relation to facial recognition technology, access to encryption tools and net neutrality.

Ireland has considerably improved its performance in the connectivity dimension, as reflected in the Digital Economy and Society Index, and is now ranking 6th among EU countries, up from 11th in 2018 and 15th in 2017.  Next generation access in Ireland remains very high at 96% overall, and 90% in rural areas, versus the EU average of 86% and 59% respectively. Ireland also performs well on mobile coverage with 99% of 4G coverage, almost on par with the EU average.

Over the last 5 years, Ireland has been the fastest growing Member State in the EU in respect of connectivity and I have no doubt that this trend will continue, in particular as the NBP network brings high speed connectivity to more remote parts of our country.

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