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Telecommunications Infrastructure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 September 2020

Tuesday, 22 September 2020

Questions (178, 179, 180, 181, 182)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

178. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the extent to which the communications system nationally is adequately developed in line with the need to compete internationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25540/20]

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Bernard Durkan

Question:

179. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks if he is satisfied that the current or proposed provisions are sufficient to ensure the efficacy of the communications networks here with particular reference to the need to enable the business sector to compete at an international level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25541/20]

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Bernard Durkan

Question:

180. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks his mission statement for the development of the range and quality of the mobile telephone system here in line with modern expectations and international standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25542/20]

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Bernard Durkan

Question:

181. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the extent to which he expects to modernise and increase the capacity and quality of the telecommunications system in all areas nationally in the course of the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25543/20]

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Bernard Durkan

Question:

182. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the mission statement he has set for his Department in terms of addressing the most important issues in the communication networks sector over the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25544/20]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 178 to 182, inclusive, together.

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.

So as to ensure that nobody is left behind in a digital divide, the National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract signed last November to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the Intervention Area which covers 1.1 million people living and working in the nearly 540,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with 695 schools.

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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