Government accused of neglecting rural broadband
The Government has no serious intention to get to grips with the crisis in broadband service provision or to get it rolled out, Fianna Fáil Deputy Michael Moynihan told the Dáil.
“For some time, many Deputies have stated broadband is needed for rural communities to continue what is expected for normal living in 2019,” said the Cork North West TD.
“Instead, we have continual changes of deadlines for plans. For example, a roll-out plan was announced before Easter 2014 which was to be completed by the autumn of that year. It never happened.”
Earlier in the debate on rural broadband he said the Minister responsible, Richard Bruton, quoted Shakespeare. “By the time we will have broadband under this Government, this debate will be Shakespearian,” he fumed.
“We need to grasp this issue because it is of urgent importance to the communities which I represent, as well as many others.”
Labour Deputy Séan Sherlock said all deputies have testimonials from constituents.
“I fear for the people who will not be covered by the National Broadband Plan and who are not covered among the 300,000 but who are deemed to have coverage as matters stand,” he said.
He pointed out that on December 4 last the Minister indicated that 674 national schools in the State intervention would be covered by the plan.
“However, I have examples of situations in places such as Cobh. I will use the example of Cobh as an articulation of other towns in my constituency,” said the Cork East TD.
“When people in Rushbrooke approached Eir for coverage for the school, they were informed that it could not be provided even though Eir is stating that it is providing coverage in the area. When one individual approached Open Eir on foot of advice from ComReg, the company stated that the person was not a wholesale customer and, therefore, it could not provide the person with high-speed fibre even though such fibre is being provided in the area.”
Workers entitled to nominate union of choice
It should be the right of all workers to nominate the trade union of their choice to represent them in negotiations for wages and, more important, working conditions,Cork East Sinn Féin Deputy Pat Buckley told the Dáil.
Referring to the 500 plus paramedics and ambulance staff who had gone on strike over the row with union recognition, he said he had listened to one paramedic on Cork’s 96FM.
“She clearly stated that the workers did not want to go on strike,” he said.
“More important, she said that while she and many others love their jobs and what they do, they had no choice. If we cannot get the HSE to work with the National Ambulance Service Representative Association (NASRA) and the Psychiatric Nurses Association, then we will face more strikes. The knock-on effect of this will be absolutely atrocious.”
In response, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said any worker, even someone who is not in employment, is free to join a trade union, if he or she so wishes.
“However, it is not a requirement that any employer, whether a public employer or a private employer, has to collect the union dues on behalf of that union and nor is it a requirement that the employer necessarily recognises that union,” he said.
“As things stand, the HSE recognises three unions already that represent paramedics and ambulance staff. They are all unions affiliated to ICTU. The Government engages with the union movement through ICTU.”
Update sought on Protective Services Unit
An up-to-date progress report on the provision of the Protective Services Unit due to be provided in Bandon was sought in the Dáil by Cork North-West Fianna Fáil Deputy Aindrias Moynihan.
He said the West Cork Garda division covers a large area including Millstreet, Macroom and even east Kerry.
“The Specialist Protective Services Unit was part of the division’s policing plan,” he said.
“Will the Minister accelerate the decision in order that the communities of north and west Cork can be served?”
In reply, the Minister for Justice and Equality, Charles Flanagan, said he did not have a start date with him but would be happy to communicate by way of giving an update in writing.