Rose Conway-Walsh on stalled broadband rollout and missed targets
Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh challenged the Taoiseach over the slow broadband rollout in Mayo and the West, calling the low number of connections shocking and demanding an explanation. She questioned progress under the government's 2.7 billion contract, asking for downgraded targets, penalties for company NBI and clarity on the minister's plans to invoke the change control procedure.
Progress figures
In the first 18 months the rollout reached 4,378 homes and businesses out of a target of 15,000, and only 632 of those have been actually connected, the deputy said.
Contract and targets
She referenced the 2.7 billion contract and highlighted a disconnect between government talk about remote working and the reality on the ground in Mayo. The deputy asked what the new downgraded target for connections this year is and what penalties NBI will face for falling so far behind schedule.
Minister's approach
The deputy noted the minister has said he hopes to negotiate a new contract and will invoke the change control procedure in the broadband contract. She asked the Taoiseach to explain what is going on in light of those remarks.
Local impact and concern
She stressed that economic recovery in Mayo and the West is reliant on the rollout of broadband, described the low connection numbers as discouraging, and said constituents want answers about promises for broadband for rural Ireland.
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Geir mhagath, Cáncóirle. Thaiseach, economic recovery in Mayo and the West and many other parts of the country is reliant on the rollout of broadband and that's why we welcome the 2.7 billion contract but there's a disconnect between the talk from government on the future work and the potential of more remote working and the reality of the ground in Mayo the fact is that the first in the first 18 months only 4378 homes and businesses have been reached out of a target of 150 15,000 and only 632 of these has been actually connected. Given the fact that contractors were allowed to continue work on the rollout over the last year I think it's necessary for you Thaiseach to explain what has happened, why so little progress has been made and people in my constituency in Mayo want to know what's going on. For them to see such a shocking low numbers of connections is completely discouraging. There has not been an adequate explanation of the situation. So my question is what is the new and agreed downgraded target for the connections this year and what penalties will the company NBI face for falling so far behind schedule? Do you share our concern Thaiseach? Minister Ryan has said that he is hoping to negotiate a new contract and that he will invoke the change control procedure in the broadband contract. Thaiseach, can you tell us what's going on? Because we are really, really concerned at this point about the contract and about all of the promises that have been made around broadband for rural Ireland. Go raibh maigodh.
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