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"Donegal needs faster
broadband"
07.07.08
SENATOR Pearse Doherty
has called for Donegal to be chosen as a pilot
region for a next generation internet network.
The Sinn Féin also called for a debate on broadband
provision, comparing Ireland to countries like Japan
who were no longer looking for broadband or next
generation technology but rather "next next
generation".
"There has been much discussion about the economy
and how it is going into recession," said Senator
Doherty. |
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"When we face difficult
times, we need to invest in our infrastructure. I
have called for numerous debates and numerous
senators have called for a debate on what is
happening in respect of the National Development
Plan, particularly the areas which have not seen the
benefit of the Celtic Tiger over the past ten
years." |
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He referred to an EU
Commission survey showing that Ireland lags well
behind in broadband with the highest costs and
lowest speeds.
"We are the only country in Europe where more people
use narrowband or dial-up than broadband. This is a
serious issue if we wish to be a knowledge-based
economy and want to get out of the recession. We
need a debate on it," he said.
“There is a way for us to help regional development.
I spoke to the experts who were here last week. In
respect of areas like Donegal, we could, with only a
couple of hundred thousand euro, test pilot next
generation networks. Can one imagine what that could
do for places that have 18% unemployment?" he asked. |
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