Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 5 Feb 1998

Vol. 486 No. 5

Written Answers. - Offshore Islands.

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

16 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands which of our offshore populated islands are equipped to take advantage of modern interactive technology; and the proposals, if any, for the future use of such technology on all our populated islands. [2847/98]

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera)

I understand the following to be the position in general with regard to telecommunication access to inhabited islands: ISDN, Integrated Services Digital Network, is available on Inis Mór. There are two videoconferencing systems on the island.

Under a "Telepromise" project a teleshopping and information service, based on the Internet, for all three Aran islands is being developed. Both Inis Meáin and Inis Oírr are involved in the Telepromise project, but ISDN is not available on either island. Telecom Éireann has advised me however that it is hoped to extend the FSDN service to Inis Meáin, Inis Oírr and Inis Bó Finne this year.

In the case of Oileán Chléire I understand that Comharchumann Chléire is providing a computer bureau service to the island and has access to the Internet via ordinary telephone lines.

With regard to all other inhabited islands I understand that ISDN is not available and that access to telecommunication based services is via ordinary telephone lines.

I fully appreciate the importance of the use of information technology in the development of our offshore islands. I encourage island communities to embrace and take full advantage of the information age to enhance the quality of life on the islands and to promote equal access to opportunities for people who live on offshore islands. I will facilitate in any way that I can proposals for the increased use of modern interactive technology on our populated offshore islands. This matter will form part of the work of the interdepartmental committee on the islands.