Broadband Plan in shambles and citizens are bearing the brunt of government failure
Labour spokesperson on Communications Seán Sherlock TD has slammed the Government’s response to the National Broadband Plan as news emerged that SSE has withdrawn from its consortium with Enet as the final bidder.
Deputy Sherlock said:
“We’ve known since February that there is only one bidder left in this project. Public trust is shot to pieces and the broadband plan is in shambles, and citizens will bear the brunt of this latest failure.
“The Minister now has serious questions to answer. We’ve had a litany of withdrawals from the process on his watch.
“The next moves from Government on this will be critical.”
ENDS
Editor’s Note
* To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he is satisfied with the pace of the completion of the tender for the National Broadband Plan; and when on the ground work will begin. – Sean Sherlock.
* For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 24th July, 2018.
(1403 Received on 13th July, 2018.)
REPLY
The Government’s National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure high speed broadband access (minimum 30 megabits per second) to all premises in Ireland, regardless of location. The NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms sector. Today, 7 out of 10 of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland have access to high speed broadband. By 2020, 9 out of 10 premises will have access to a high speed broadband connection. This is being achieved via a combination of commercial investment and a State led intervention.
My Department is in the final stages of a formal procurement process to select a company who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network in the State intervention area.
This process is being progressed within procurement guidelines and to a best practice standard. It will be concluded as efficiently and expeditiously as possible and a decision published at the earliest opportunity.
