Committee on Transport and Communications Networks to hear from National Broadband Ireland tomorrow

The Joint Committee on Transport and Communications Networks will begin its discussion regarding the National Broadband Plan when witnesses from National Broadband Ireland appear before the committee tomorrow.

The witnesses will appear from 11.30am in Committee Room 4 (watch live). National Broadband Ireland (NBI) is responsible for designing, building and operating Ireland’s new, fast, independent wholesale broadband network.

Speaking in advance of the meeting, Committee Chair Kieran O’Donnell, TD, said: “The Joint Committee on Transport and Communications Networks noted that last week in the Dáil Minister Eamon Ryan outlined that 187 sites have been installed by National Broadband Ireland and almost 122,000 premises across 25 counties have been surveyed, and we look forward to an update from National Broadband Ireland regarding this matter.

“The Covid-19 restrictions have brought the urgent need for the timely roll-out of the National Broadband Plan to the fore, the target is that 90% of premises receive access to high-speed broadband within the next four years. Reliable broadband is essential for remote working and education, and the eight months since March has certainly brought this reality to focus with much debate in recent weeks about the topic of workings ‘hubs’ outside of our major cities.

Chair O’Donnell concluded: “There are also households outside the reach of commercial operators, and how these communities will be prioritised and accommodated as part of this strategy is worth exploring. The delivery of the fibre network during these times, and the extent of any Covid-19 impact on National Broadband Ireland roll-out will also be raised in Wednesday’s meeting.”

In addition, Eir have been invited before the committee for an appearance on Wednesday week, November 25, to discuss the topic of the National Broadband Plan and Phone Connectivity. Matters to be considered by the committee include the roll-out of Eir fibre broadband coverage, regional and rural access to broadband, and the handling of customer requests and complaints.  

For more information about the work of the Committee on Transport and Communications Networks, see the Committee webpage