Despite the recent publication of the Report of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce, communities in Kildare will still have to wait until 2023 at the earliest to access high quality broadband services
James Lawless TD commented, “This is simply not good enough from the Government. The report suggests a number of initiatives which I believe are window dressing. There is no need to undergo another mapping exercise to see where there are mobile broadband blackspots. The mobile phone operators know exactly where coverage is poor. In my own constituency I have worked on improving high speed broadband services in North West Kildare, Kill and Eadestown. Meeting with Eir, Imagine and other providers I have informed them of these blackspots and will continue to bring these to their attention.”
“As my parties spokesperson on Science, Technology, and Innovation I have consistently lobbied broadband providers to improve their services in Kildare. Meeting with Minister Denis Naughten TD I raised my broadband concerns directly with the Minister and Government officals for our county. This is an unwelcome delay for what is a vital service for nearly every household in the county.”
“Instead of mapping exercises, the Department needs to work with the operators to urgently rectify these blackspots. In Kildare North we have a number of black spots which detrimentally affect local businesses and clubs.”
“Fundamentally, a change in outlook is required from the Government and the operators. The Minister must set out a vision for how Ireland becomes a mobile-island. Focusing on population rather than land-mass coverage is too limited, and ignores large parts of the country.”
“What people in many communities will be asking when they read this report is: when will my house get access to decent, high speed broadband and mobile coverage?”