Charlie McConalogue

Fianna Fáil

“I think rural Ireland has been badly failed by the government over the last five years, through failure to properly address the need for state investment to ensure that a proper broadband service is provided to all areas.

“It has been clear for many years now that certain parts of the country, especially rural regions were only going to receive broadband with government co-investment. Despite this, we have had numerous promises that have amounted to nothing. In Donegal, 52% of all premises, both private and commercial, will not have a proper broadband service until the NBP delivers it. There should be no more delays. It has been one step forward, two steps back with this government for the last two or three years. The reality is there has not being the political will to fix it.”

Michael Healy Rae

Independent

“When I was canvassing for the last general election, one of the biggest issues continuously raised was the lack of proper broadband and mobile phone coverage. In my mind, having proper broadband in a house is as vital as the ESB, water and sewerage facilities.

“We’ve had a situation in the past where companies have been cherry picking, only going where the population was and not giving serious effort in distributing broadband to the less-populated areas. The people in Glencar and Ballinscelligs are as good as the people in Blackrock and they deserve the same services provided to them.

“I have every confidence in Minister Denis Naughten’s ability to play a leading role in this matter, and I look forward to him doing a proper job in speeding it up.”

Eamon Ryan

Green Party

“I think we need to get this right. We are talking about an investment of huge amounts of money. The first question that needs to be asked is: should we put high-speed broadband into each house in the country and should this be universal? The cost of getting this service to the last 1% is huge and some would ask is it worth it?

“I feel it is very much like electrification. As a state, we agreed that it is a principal to get electrification to each house and, similarly, it is principal to do the same with a broadband service. The big debate lies in what option of delivering this service we should take – whether that be fixed wireless or replacing cooper with fibre.

“Because of the complexity of this issue, the Minister should discuss his analysis of the matter at the Dáil committee before a decision is made.”

CASE STUDY

Co Kerry B&B

For businesses operating in most parts of rural Ireland, broadband black spots can be a serious hindrance.

For Garrett and Patricia Dee from Carrig Island, Co Kerry, such issues are ever-present. Running Castle View House, a local bed and breakfast for 23 years, the couple acknowledge that a competent broadband service would make life a lot easier, not just for their business but for the community in general. Castle View House, which is located along the Wild Atlantic Way, is a prime example of a rural business struggling for internet access.

“From our point of view, broadband is generally poor in this area and it is something we and our guests badly need. Most of our guests have laptops, iPads or mobile phones and are keen on having an internet connection when they get here. We also have business people coming here who require internet to conduct their business activities.

“For ourselves, most bookings are made online, so when you have an inadequate service, it is a major inconvenience. Something as basic as checking email is difficult.”

As well as a bed and breakfast, the Dees have pedigree a Shorthorn cattle herd. Again, inadequate broadband hinders this activity.

“We do everything online, such as registering calves and the genomic scheme, as do so many farmers around us. Better internet would make life easier for us in this area.” Garrett said.