3 Iúil 2014, 15:33
The Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement this morning heard that advances in broadband infrastructure was continuing to pass rural areas by. The Committee was told that new thinking and ideas, driven by the communities themselves, was required in creating policy that delivers high speed connections to these areas.
3 July 2014
The Committee was meeting with the European Regions Network for the Application of Communications Technology (ERNACT), which was established on a cross-border basis by Derry City and Donegal County Councils in 1991. The organisation works to develop a range of digital projects with the help of EU funding.
Committee Chairman Joe McHugh says: “This morning’s discussion with ERNACT representatives, which included local representatives from both Donegal and Derry, underlined the importance of high quality broadband to communities in the digital age. We heard an engaging presentation from local councillors on both sides of the border on their longstanding work in this very practical area of cooperation. We were told that the Northwest is a highly developed cross-border broadband zone, and while there is no doubt that the region has benefitted from €25 million in investment in recent years, there are still gaps in areas which need to be addressed.
“Yesterday’s announcement that the ESB and Vodafone are to invest €450 Million in fibre broadband across Ireland was widely welcomed. However, it was pointed out that this infrastructure would benefit primarily larger towns and concern was expressed that smaller towns and rural areas would continue to be left behind. We heard the persuasive case for a change in mindset towards a more grass roots approach to such projects, rather than them being driven by central Government policy. An example of such a community driven approach in Northern Sweden was cited, where citizens living a very remote location can now work in high tech jobs due to the availability of fibre broadband.”
Ends
View Committee Membership.
For further information please contact:
Paul Hand,
Communications Unit,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 4484
M: +353 87 694 9926
paul.hand@oireachtas.ie