Simon Coveney
Ceist:52 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his proposals to promote electric transport this year. [10455/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraElectric Transport.
Ceisteanna (8)
Freagraí ó Béal (11 píosaí cainte)
The Government has ambitious plans for the large-scale deployment of electric vehicles in Ireland. A target has been set of 10% of all vehicles to be powered by electricity by 2020, which would equate to approximately 225,000 cars on Irish roads. Electric vehicles are an increasingly realistic solution to the challenge of reducing the transport sector's greenhouse gas emissions and reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels. There is now significant global investment under way in research and development in this area. The technology is maturing to a point where large-scale commercial deployment appears feasible in the short to medium term. There is keen interest at EU level and internationally in Ireland's commitment to be an early mover in this field. Ireland is seen as an excellent test bed, particularly in respect of its network infrastructure development. The challenge now is to develop economically viable options for the establishment, cost-efficient operation and maintenance of an electric vehicle infrastructure network in Ireland, together with measures to develop a market for the vehicles themselves.
ESB Networks is playing a central role in the research and development of the infrastructure network. The ESB also is playing a leading role in work by European utilities and car manufacturers to further essential standardisation across Europe. I have given my support to the current Spanish Presidency in highlighting electric vehicles as a key EU priority. I also have welcomed the recent confirmation by the European Commission that it is to begin work on the standardisation agenda. The interdepartmental-interagency task force has assessed the costed options and timeframes for putting in place the necessary infrastructure and other arrangements for the cost-effective deployment of electric vehicles on a national basis. Initial estimates by ESB Networks for the roll-out of infrastructure are between six and 18 months, depending on the scale of initial deployment. Global developments will be factored in as the technologies mature.
The introduction of incentives to assist in the roll-out of electric vehicles, as set out in budget 2010, is being furthered by my Department and the Department of Finance. As the Minister for Finance stated in his Budget Statement, it is intended that incentive systems will be in place to coincide with the arrival of the first electric vehicles later this year or at the same time as the agreed arrival of electric vehicles from a number of car manufacturers.
My Department and the ESB have already agreed a memorandum of understanding with Renault-Nissan that provides for ongoing information exchange on developments. Discussions also are under way with a number of other car manufacturers, with a view to developing memoranda of understanding with them. I understand there are several promising prospects in this regard for later this year.
First, I welcome the commitment by the Spanish Presidency that this issue should be one of the key priorities for the European Union during its presidency. I also welcome the initial moves by the EU towards standardisation in respect of plugs, charging and so on. My concern is with the Government's lethargy in driving forward this agenda. I acknowledge the Minister agrees with me that this is a technology which can transform the transport sector in Ireland, can deal in a highly impressive way with an emissions problem in that sector and can act as an exciting new development for the energy sector, particularly with regard to dealing with intermittency issues pertaining to wind generation. Is the Minister satisfied that ESB Networks is doing enough in respect of its proposed pilot projects? My understanding from the Minister's reply on 26 January last is that ESB Networks intends to put in place 20 charging points as a national pilot project. How many charging points does the Minister envisage being installed during the six to 18 months timeframe in which ESB Networks is involved? Second, a number of months have passed since a memorandum of understanding was put in place with Renault-Nissan. What has been the result and how many cars can one expect will come into Ireland from that company? Does Ireland have the infrastructure to be able to facilitate this?
Go raibh maith agat.
I have one or two other brief questions.
I will revert to the Deputy but I wish to ensure that Members receive a full answer.
I am satisfied the ESB is doing the right thing and is doing enough. It is a staged roll-out and I understand it has already started. There is a charging point outside my own office and a number of other locations but that is only the beginning. It is intended to deal first with a number of our cities and then to consider connecting them. I had an interesting meeting last week with officials from the British Government's Department that is involved in this area to ascertain whether work in Dublin and Belfast could be co-ordinated to develop a corridor. Such a corridor, in which two systems are connected, would be highly progressive. Consequently, I am fully confident that the ESB is performing the correct analysis and that Ireland is a good and proper test location for this technology because the distances are not insurmountable. I am also confident that the roll-out of the charging points will be sufficient to meet the needs of approximately 6,000 vehicles initially over the first three years but with the objective of increasing this number to 200,000 vehicles by the end of this decade and thereafter to go on to transform the entire fleet.
This is the opportunity that is open to us. I agree with the Deputy that we share an ambition on this issue to the effect that our renewable variable supply and single distributed network give us a competitive advantage. The United Kingdom has six different grids, which makes it difficult for it. As one would not wish to be dependent on any single vehicle or company, I understand the memorandum of understanding with organisations such as Renault-Nissan might lead to one third, one quarter or a percentage of the vehicles that are needed, which is appropriate. Were two or three car companies to deliver 2,000 vehicles each, it would set us up.
I ask both the Minister and the Deputy to be more concise in their answers and questions.
To clarify, the Minister has stated that over the next three years, we will deploy 6,000 vehicles and then, over the following six years, he intends to deliver 244,000 vehicles. This is what Members are being told because the target for 2020, which is only ten years away, is to have 250,000 such vehicles. My concern is that although Ireland is engaged in pilot projects, it should propose itself as a pilot project for the European Union. I am frustrated with this lack of ambition because I do not believe Ireland can ramp up from 3,000 vehicles to 250,000 vehicles in the space of six years. I refer in the first instance to the requisite infrastructure to facilitate this. I am highly concerned that we are progressing too cautiously in this regard and as a result will not receive the benefits associated with being a first mover in respect of technology, smart charging, software and everything else because we simply will be overtaken by other countries' levels of ambition
It is exactly our ambition to be a test bed for the technology. Our first requirement was to get any vehicles as there is a queue of countries who seeking to be in Ireland's position, having been able to have signed a memorandum of understanding with Renault-Nissan and hopefully with other companies such as Mitsubishi. First, this will give us the opportunity of having some vehicles, because certain countries that will seek vehicles will not be able to have access to them, to turn Ireland into a test bed facility.
Three thousand vehicles. Is that it?
I have been informed by both the ESB and my Department that 6,000 vehicles is a sufficient number to provide us with a proper test bed location in which we can develop the software technology and data management technology that comprises the real economic opportunity for Ireland behind the development of electric vehicles, as well as managing our renewable electricity supply.
Radio Broadcasting.
Ceisteanna (9)
Liz McManus
Ceist:53 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will review the levy structure he has proposed in view of widespread concern at job losses arising from levies to be charged to the independent radio sector as a result of the establishment of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10614/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí ó Béal (15 píosaí cainte)
Section 33 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 provides for the making of a levy order by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland for the purposes of meeting the expenses of the authority and its committees in undertaking the performance of its statutory functions. As I have made clear in my replies to previous questions on this issue, the setting of the levy is a matter for the authority and not one in which I have a direct function.
In addition, in accordance with section 37 of the Act, the setting of the budget for the BAI for any particular year is a matter for the authority. While the legislation makes provision for the Minister to be able to specify the form the estimates should take and any additional information as may be needed, it does not require the estimates to be submitted for specific ministerial approval. The budget for 2010 was set by the BAI at €7.6 million at its meeting in December 2009.
As I also have previously stated, the BAI has indicated that the need for an increased budget over those previously provided for under the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland is as a result of the increased role given by the Oireachtas to the BAI. While the BAI has taken over the functions of the BCI and the Broadcasting Complaints Commission, BCC, it has also been given a range of new functions in addition to those held by its predecessors, mainly in respect of public service broadcasting and the provision of digital broadcasting services. The BAI has also indicated that the extent to which any budget is expended will depend on the level of activity of the organisation in any one year.
The BAI has confirmed that it will discharge its functions in a cost effective manner and is conscious of not imposing an undue burden on the broadcasting sector. In this context, section 32(4) of the Broadcasting Act requires the authority to ensure that regulation by it and the statutory committees does not involve the imposition or maintenance of unnecessary administrative burdens.
I have made clear to the authority the need to be vigilant about keeping costs down, particularly in the current economic climate. The authority has requested the chief executive to review the detail of the 2010 budget with a view to reducing it where possible and the chief executive will shortly report to the authority on this.
In accordance with section 37(7) of the Act, any 2010 Revised Estimate of income and expenditure approved by the authority will be published on the BAI's website with my consent and that of the Minister for Finance. The authority has also asked the chief executive to review its proposed expenditure throughout 2010 continuously with the aim of reducing it where possible. In accordance with section 33 of the Act, any surplus of levy income over expenditure in a given year shall be offset against future levies or refunded, as appropriate.
In addition, the chief executive met commercial radio broadcasters last week to discuss the levy and the 2010 budget and sought to address any issues and concerns that these stakeholders may have had on this issue. I understand that the chief executive has undertaken to have a further meeting with the commercial radio broadcasters once the budget review mentioned has been completed to the satisfaction of the authority.
The name Pontius Pilate comes to mind. Does the Minister not accept that he cannot hide behind the broadcasting authority as regards the undue burden that he is responsible for placing on the independent radio sector in particular and that he cannot walk away from it now, since it is a direct result of decisions and legislation he has introduced? Secondary legislation will not come into force until Thursday, so I urge him again to ensure that this order is annulled to allow for a fresh start.
Has the Minister received the types of submission I have received from independent and local radio stations from the south east, Munster, the midlands, Dublin and Connacht-Ulster? People who are concerned about their jobs cannot believe that this system of levies will be imposed with no recognition of the impact on the budgets within which radio stations are struggling to survive. Does the Minister not accept that, for example, the percentage of advertising revenue has mushroomed as regards the levy? He must bear responsibility for what has occurred. I urge him to come out from behind the BAI. We are discussing secondary legislation, so he can still ensure that fairness comes into play. He should do so because he promised in the House that an undue burden would not be placed on those who are struggling.
I accept that fairness has a part of play. I have a similar concern to the Deputy's regarding the jobs of those in broadcasters across the State, particularly in the independent radio broadcasting sector, that are facing difficult times in terms of advertising revenue that has fallen dramatically and the change in the nature of the broadcasting market. There is fairness in the sense that the public service broadcaster will bear the largest burden in the form of payment of a levy, as is right.
A benefit of an industry-funded regulator is that one gets a proper, fair and independent regulation of the sector. This is in the commercial and employment interests of everyone involved in the sector. We knew this would be difficult. It was flagged at various stages throughout the legislative process. However, our experience of independent regulation funded by the industry is a positive one.
I agree that this is a difficult time. The authority has told the chief executive that there is a particular difficulty and asked him to examine the Estimate. He is due to revert on the matter because everyone, including members of the authority, is aware of the difficult times people are facing.
The Minister is a hypocrite.
Deputy, please.
He is responsible for taking this approach. He set up a separate quango unnecessarily. He could have been cost effective. An bord snip nua pointed the way for him, but he insisted in a bull-headed way on setting up an expensive regulatory structure for which he is now penalising the independent radio sector in particular as well as others. The Minister cannot walk away from his responsibilities. I urge him to ensure that the secondary legislation is annulled so as that we can start again and try to put right the problem he has created. He must bear some responsibility for it.
I flatly reject the Deputy's accusations. I recognise that there are difficulties in the industry. We must examine the regulatory system to ensure that it is cost effective and efficient as well as being a proper regulatory system. There are different opinions as to how this should be done. For example, should there be an amalgamated or separate content network regulator? The experience of the UK, which took the combined route, is that there were no cost savings. A single body would have the exact same functions, personnel and needs. One cannot remove the need for proper content regulation.
Tell that to Colm McCarthy.
For the Deputy to depict it as an easy alternative——
Colm McCarthy stated it.
I did not agree with everything in his report. I agree that there is an issue that we should examine and I will continue to examine it, but to portray as a political virtue——
When will the budget increase?
——the idea that there is an easy and simple solution through which we could wave away any costs is not accurate or fair to anyone, least of all the people in the industry.
We must move on to the next question.
The Minister created the problem.
Digital Terrestrial Television.
Ceisteanna (10)
Simon Coveney
Ceist:54 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will report to the Houses of the Oireachtas on the progress made in the development of commercial digital terrestrial television channels here. [10456/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí ó Béal (13 píosaí cainte)
The Broadcasting Act 2009 requires the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, BAI, an independent regulatory authority, to provide for the development of commercial digital terrestrial television, DTT, services. On foot of this requirement, the BAI's predecessor, the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland, BCI, launched a competition, which is still ongoing. As the Deputy is aware, the highest placed consortium in the competition withdrew from the process last April. Negotiations then commenced with the next placed bidder and this process is continuing.
This is the same answer the Minister gave previously.
As I stated recently in response to a previous question on the issue, I am not prepared to speculate on the outcome of the commercial DTT process, which is a matter for the BAI. Nor am I prepared to surmise on the ongoing negotiations between the BAI, RTE and the OneVision consortium. I have, however, made clear my opinion that I would like to see this process concluded as soon as possible. The conclusion of the process is essential to provide certainty for broadcasters, suppliers and the general public with regard to the development of commercial DTT services.
Under section 129 of the Broadcasting Act 2009, RTE is required to ensure that free-to-air DTT is available to approximately 90% of the population on such date as may be specified by the Minister. I signed an order last week specifying this date as being 31 October 2010. The Act also requires RTE to provide a national free-to-air digital service with capacity to carry RTE 1, RTE 2, TG4 and TV3 by the end of 2011 or such later date as I may specify. I have written to RTE informing it that the date for provision of a national service is 31 December 2011.
My policy objective is the earliest possible switch-off of the analogue television system operated by RTENL and it is my intention that this will be no later than quarter four of 2012.
At least we now have some dates. On 26 January, the House got the same answer from the Minister in terms of the process, in that he hoped it would conclude as soon as possible. It is not encouraging for the myriad of industries that depend on a decision. It will be almost impossible for RTE to pay for the roll-out of free-to-air DTT services unless it has a revenue stream from a commercial service using the infrastructure RTE has put in place. Originally, they were to be paid for and used by Boxer, but that deal collapsed. Since then, the Minister has backed a process whereby the next tender after Boxer, OneVision, would try to do a deal with RTE. However, this has not occurred.
As I asked in January, has the Minister set a timeframe with the BAI, RTE and OneVision to conclude their negotiations? What will be the Minister's response if the relationship between RTE and OneVision breaks down to such an extent that a commercial proposition does not come from OneVision?
There are sensitivities here. There would be difficulties if the Minister intervened in the awarding of licences. We have learned the lesson that we should maintain a certain distance and have an independent regulatory system to organise such a competition.
We are not in a selection process.
It is a contract negotiation arrangement, which is commercially sensitive. I am dissatisfied at the long time it has taken and I want to see an outcome quickly. We will be switching off our analogue system at the end of 2012 because the economic cost of using that spectrum for broadband is so significant that we cannot afford not to make that happen.
I agree that the preferred outcome is one where we combine a free-to-air service with a commercial platform which helps cover RTE's transmission costs. This was set out in the legislation. I do not have complete control of that process but I believe it must be decided within a maximum of three or four weeks because we are running into timelines where it starts to be difficult to meet the overall objective.
We certainly are.
If it is not possible for both parties to reach agreement we will have to look at other alternatives. It will be up to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland to do that. If it cannot succeed the Department will work with the BAI to make it happen.
For the first time the Minister has conceded that this process may not work out. If that happens the Minister says the BAI will be responsible for finding a way forward. I reject that. This is the Minister's responsibility. It is his obligation to ensure that we can have analogue switch-off by the end of 2012. He should not try to transfer responsibility to the BAI.
Is it realistic to set a date for RTE to provide free-to-air digital terrestrial television, DTT, services in the absence of an agreement on commercial DTT, given the significant funding implications of free-to-air television? Why has the Minister decided to set a date for free-to-air DTT in the absence of an agreement, or even an understanding, of where we are in terms of commercial DTT? He knows one is reliant on the other.
I do accept responsibility but my responsibility starts with letting the legislative process which has been put in place work. That lies with the BAI. I have supported the authority and will give it the room to do its work. If it fails and the process cannot be worked through, it will be back to myself and the Department to find a solution; and we will find one. While I understand Deputy Coveney's argument that we should try to wait for the commercial process, I wanted to make it clear and certain that, come what may, we are switching off our analogue system. That was one of the reasons behind the decision to signal RTE to start switching on the transmission system, which is in place, at the end of October this year. We have already spent the significant volumes needed to put in the mast and other equipment.
There is a debt attached to that which must be repaid. It is €100 million.
I wanted to give a clear signal to the suppliers and all concerned of our determination in terms of switch-off and the move towards whichever alternative system evolves in the coming months.
Gas Storage Facilities.
Ceisteanna (11)
Simon Coveney
Ceist:55 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has satisfied himself with the capacity to store gas here in the context of energy security concerns and an over reliance on imported gas from the UK. [10457/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí ó Béal (5 píosaí cainte)
Security of gas supply is a fundamental priority for the Irish economy given its continued importance for power generation. Given our high level of import dependence over the interconnectors with the UK, gas storage has an important role to play in contributing to enhanced gas security for the island of Ireland. The report on an all-island common approach to gas storage and LNG reinforces the case for additional storage facilities.
The existing commercial gas storage facility at Kinsale has the capacity to hold 198 million cubic metres. Licensed for use by Bord Gáis Éireann, the facility can supply around 50% of residential and SME gas needs for up to 50 days in the event of a gas disruption.
The short to medium term prognosis for the security of Ireland's gas supplies is relatively secure in light of the projected relative stability of the UK gas market. Increased global gas supplies combined with reduced global demand has led to the International Energy Agency projecting a more benign world outlook for the next few years. Nonetheless the risk of supply disruption should never be discounted and the continuing depletion of North Sea gas supplies means we will become reliant on gas supplies from more distant markets. The impact of the Russia Ukraine dispute on a number of member states in early 2009 was a wake-up call for the EU on gas security of supply. The key objective of the proposed EU regulation on security of gas supply is to ensure that the market meets the gas supply needs of member states including through commercial gas storage.
I welcome the current market interest in developing further commercial gas storage, both in Ireland and in Northern Ireland. My Department is working with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment in Northern Ireland and the energy regulators North and South on actions to enhance security of gas supply on the island including the scope for commercial gas storage.
The development of the Corrib gas field would also provide a new source of gas supply which could meet up to 60% of our annual demand in its early years of operation.
In addition, the interest in providing liquefied natural gas storage on a commercial basis is also an important development. Shannon LNG has received planning permission to construct an LNG re-gasification terminal at a site located on the Shannon estuary. This facility could potentially provide up to 40% of Ireland's gas. LNG has the potential to improve Ireland's connectivity to the global gas market, which would be a critical factor in the event of a major supply disruption.
I thank the Minister for his detailed reply. Regardless of a number of planned projects to which the Minister has referred, Ireland's reliance on imported fossil fuels makes us extremely vulnerable at present. More than 90% of the gas we use on this island is imported. Let us not forget that 55% of all of the power generated in Ireland is now fuelled by gas. Almost all of that comes from the UK market.
At present, we have the capacity to store 11 days' usage of gas. This compares poorly with most European countries. France can store 92 days' gas needs, in Germany the figure is 84, in Italy 80 and in Denmark 58. The average of the EU 15 member states is 52 days. These countries are not reliant on two gas interconnectors, as we are. Regardless of what is being developed by Shannon LNG and in the Corrib gas field, does the Minister intend to extend the remit of the National Oil Reserves Agency, NORA, to include gas storage and will he set a target of an increased number of days' storage of our gas reserves?
I share the Deputy's concerns. The statistics he highlights show that we need to increase our commercial storage. The Commission for Energy Regulation has responsibility for managing storage licence conditions and it is the commission, in conjunction with the Department, which will look at the various options. The National Oil Reserves Agency has a connection to this. I recently had a meeting with NORA when we examined the potential for increasing storage facilities at our power plants in order to cover the risk the Deputy mentioned, that is, that in the event of a gas shortage the 55% of power generation would not be possible. That fuel back-up can be done in a liquefied distillate rather than gas. The issue does not necessarily have to be one of gas storage. This is a separate issue which largely relates to the salt deposits in Larne, the Kinsale field or some other storage facility. We will have to look at that as part of our security system.
I agree with much of what the Minister said. However, will he take action to require increased storage capacity rather than talk about the opportunities which exist in empty gas fields off Kinsale or in Northern Ireland or about potential storage of liquefied natural gas in places like Foynes?
We need a Government decision. We have the capacity to store 55 days of oil. Some of this is stored outside the State, which is also a concern. With regard to gas, we are particularly vulnerable to an accident or a shutting-off of supply, for whatever reason. That is something for which we must prepare and on which the Government should take a stand in terms of Government policy. Is the Minister willing to do that?
Yes. It will have to be within the confines of the European Union regulations in the area where there is a proposal for the regulation and security of gas supply. As I said, it will be done largely with the Department and the CER working with the Commission to ensure we meet the European Union requirements as well as our own needs.
Telecommunications Services.
Ceisteanna (12)
Noel Coonan
Ceist:56 Deputy Noel J. Coonan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will report to the Houses of the Oireachtas on the progress made regarding the creation of a one-stop-shop to market State-owned broadband infrastructure. [10458/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí ó Béal (9 píosaí cainte)
The establishment of a one-stop-shop is one of the commitments in the next generation broadband policy paper, Gateway to a Knowledge Ireland, which I published in June last year. The concept of a one-stop-shop arose from a recognition that there is added value to be had from facilitating telecoms operators in gaining access to ducting in State-owned networks thereby ensuring optimal use of State assets and facilitating more cost-effective roll out of broadband. The context of the proposal is the anticipated increase in demand for high speed broadband into the future.
My Department has had consultations with the telecoms operators and has also engaged with the relevant State bodies which are generally supportive of the proposal. My Department has also undertaken an initial survey of State-owned networks and has published a series of maps showing the routes of infrastructure such as roads, electricity, gas and rail.
A further development in progressing the concept has been the publication of the Premium Rate Services Bill, which contains an amendment to the Communications (Regulation) Act 2002 whereby the National Roads Authority will provide a formal framework to make ducts on national roads and motorways accessible to telecommunications companies. This Bill, which has cleared all Stages in the Dáil and Seanad, will be back before this House tomorrow and I anticipate it will be quickly enacted. The immediate objective is to have information on the availability of and access arrangements for all State-owned ducting via a single contact point later this year.
At the same time we will evaluate and progress the best management system that will in the future provide co-ordinated access to such State-owned ducting. Such a management system should facilitate our wider objective of promoting co-operation between different telecoms providers of backhaul and wholesale services while at the same time not undermining competition in the market.
In the three years I have been a Member of the House, I have heard the Minister pontificate about what he is doing in terms of broadband and set targets which he has consistently failed to meet. To hear him say he anticipates a demand for high speed broadband is really maddening, especially if one comes from my region of the mid-west which has the highest unemployment figures in the country.
When will we see developments because with almost 500,000 people unemployed, most of whom are in the mid-west, the IDA and Shannon Development have stated clearly that the most significant barrier to job creation in the mid-west is the lack of a high speed broadband system? It is simply not there. The networks have been in the ground for years and it is frustrating for people. When will we see those networks connected and a one-stop-shop, the details of which have been published, so that companies can access information from a one-stop-shop?
I would like a timeframe and for the Minister to state when this will happen. He could have given this answer last September. I do not want to listen to the same story from the Minister next September.
I am glad Deputy Coonan mentioned the past three years because any independent analysis of what has happened in the past two and a half to three years since I have been in office is that broadband numbers have gone from 600,000 to 1.4 million or so. That is a fact.
The Minister should not spin the numbers.
That is the reality. However, it is not enough. We need——
People are buying mobile phones.
——and want to go further. We need higher speeds. Again, it is a fact that the competition I am pursuing is delivering that. The competition between the cable providers, the fixed line providers, the mobile providers, the WiMAX providers and the satellite providers is the best way to drive down prices and drive up speeds. That has been shown in market after market and it is working here.
The likes of the cable company investing in new cable networks will give 50 megabit download speeds. WiMAX deployment here is ahead of any other European country. We need those sorts of innovative solutions because of rural one-off housing levels.
However, it is not enough and we need to go further. One of the comparative advantages we have over other countries is our recently built State infrastructure where we can provide access to ducting, in particular on our road network, along our gas pipelines, along our rail tracks and along ESB wires, where it is already happening.
This one-stop-shop will help progress that. We must do it carefully and in a way that does not undermine the very competition which I have set out and which is delivering the higher speeds, lower prices and greater broadband.
The Minister did not give us targets or dates and he spoke about Europe. The National Competitiveness Council stated that broadband penetration in Ireland is the second worst in the EU for firms and small businesses. When will the Minister start to deliver, in particular in the mid-west region and rural areas where broadband is simply not available and if it is available, it is of such poor quality that it is not able to operate next generation technology. It is practically useless. For the past three years, we have appealed to the Minister time after time to do something about it. When will we see action rather than words? Actions speak louder than words.
In those rural areas, there is action. There is a €200 million plus scheme to provide in the best way we can to the very rural areas which, as the Deputy said, are most sensitive to this. We have gone further than that. We have gone to Europe where there is European Union funding available for a rural broadband scheme to get to the last 10,000 houses which will be covered by that scheme. We deliberately set out to try to give universal coverage across this island in order that no one is left behind.
At the same time, we must ramp up the speeds and let the technologies come here. New satellite systems are being rapidly developed where speeds are a multiple of what they were a year ago. That market-led competitive pressure is leading to new technologies and it is the best way to deliver those higher speeds.