Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 May 2013
154. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the plans he has for the type of broadband for the Tullyallen area, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26006/13]
View answerThe Government, through the National Broadband Plan, which I published on 30th August last year, has recognised that the key imperative now is to ensure high speed broadband availability to all. Specifically, the Plan commits to:
- 70 Mbps to 100 Mbps available from the commercial market operators to more than half of the population by 2015,
- At least 40 Mbps, and in many cases faster speeds, to at least a further 20% and potentially as much as 35% of the population, and
- A minimum of 30 Mbps for every remaining home and business in the country.
Ireland is now therefore moving to a new phase of public and private sector investment in broadband in Ireland which will see significantly improved speeds delivered across the country. In devising any State intervention to deliver high speed services to areas of the country where such services are not commercially viable and will not be provided by the market, my Department will be adopting a technology neutral approach, as required under EU law. This means specifying our requirements rather than specifying a particular technology. Intensive technical, financial and legal preparations including stakeholder engagement will be on-going throughout 2013 with a view to the launch of a procurement process in 2014. Through the implementation of the National Broadband Plan, we are committed to making high speed broadband available nationwide, with a view to ensuring that all citizens and business including those in Tullyallen, County Louth, can participate fully in a digitally enabled society.
