Unacceptable, Broadband Delays For Residents And Businesses In South Kildare

Says Labour Senator Mark Wall

There are unacceptable broadband delays in South KIldare and rural businesses are suffering, according to Labour Senator Mark Wall

Speaking in the Seanad this week, Senator Wall highlighted the delays with the roll out of the National broadband scheme.

"There is a seven year plan, the Minister says he's working on it, so I'll hold him to that," he said.

He stated: “In the Kilkea-Castledermot area, with which the Acting Chairperson will be familiar, people cannot get a mobile phone connection, never mind a broadband connection.

"I have raised this at the committee to which I referred earlier when NBI was in with us. It does not provide the peace of mind other Senators talked about here today.

"It does not provide peace of mind to them that when they go on to the NBI website they are told that it is due in 2023 or 2024.

"One of the biggest problems I have had - I raised this with the NBI officials when they were in on the day - is that when people see the erection of signs stating that the area is being surveyed and broadband is on the way, everybody gets excited about it but suddenly after the week of the survey, the vans have gone out of the area and that is it, " he said.

Speaking on KFM Senator Wall said:" We need rapid connection.

"Broadband is essential, and has been likened to getting electricity for rural Ireland.

Senator Wall also welcomed the opening of the Barrow Blueway this year.

The project was granted planning permission in 2019 to complete the development of the existing 46km towpath from Lowtown to Athy.

"The Barrow blueway will be completed this year and it's great news," he said.

The project objectives are to:

(1) Provide upgraded and new physical infrastructure in accordance with planning permission;

(2) Provision of infrastructure to achieve ‘Accredited Blueway’ status for the route; and

(3) Co-ordinate marketing activity to maximise the potential of the Blueway.

Work commenced on site in the late summer of 2020 with completion of works by Waterways Ireland expected in late 2022.

Mark Wall spoke on Tuesday morning's Kildare Today: