Frank O’Rourke TD has again raised the issue of poor Broadband coverage in Newtown and surrounding areas in North West Kildare
Frank commented, ‘North West Kildare is only a few miles away from major Multinational IT companies. It simply beggars belief that there are still communities in Kildare which are not served with adequate broadband coverage.’
‘Access to an adequate broadband coverage, in terms of capacity and speed, is critical for a whole range of reasons. Businesses, those working from home, students trying to access educational material all require broadband coverage.’
‘Recently I met with residents in Newtown to discuss the poor broadband coverage. I gave them a commitment that I would invite them to address the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, once it has been established, to articulate the consequences of poor broadband coverage. I will honour that commitment once the committee has been established.’
‘I appreciate that over the last ten years, progress has been made in improving broadband coverage nationally. However, we need to focus now on the areas that have a poor broadband service, including Newtown and surrounding areas.’
‘I have again made contact with the Minister for Communications Alex Whyte and made representations to have the level of broadband services improved. I will continue to lobby for improvements. I was delighted, that in recent months, we secured new cabinets which allow for faster internet speeds in the North Kildare area. We now must finish the job and I look forward to continuing to work with the community to ensure that we succeed.’
‘Adequate Broadband Coverage is now a basic infrastructural requirement, and access to it must be considered like other utilities, such as Electricity.’ Concluded Deputy O Rourke.