'Urgent action' needed on broadband in county Limerick, says councillor

INDEPENDENT councillor for Adare Rathkeale,  Emmett O’Brien has called for the appointment of a dedicated broadband officer within Limerick City and County Council to assist householders  and businesses to get online.

”In light of the absolute fiasco that is the national broadband plan, it is now high time for local authorities to take the lead, “ he said this week. “We need action fast on this issue as rural Ireland has been let down, and some might say even attacked, by this Fine Gael government.”

He was, he said, receiving representations on an ongoing basis from constituents and business owners about the poor quality of broadband in the Adare Rathkeale area.

“ Broadband is now as essential as rural electrification was in the 1950s and telecommunication in the 1980s. Rather than wasting money on fancy “digital strategies”, that seem destined to collect unnecessary data, it would be wiser to employ an Broadband Officer who the people and businesses of rural Adare Rathkeale could call and seek assistance from in getting the service providers to provide them with broadband. “

This would assure the people of Limerick that the council is actually there to do what it is supposed to do, he said,  providing  services and finally bringing  broadband into the homes of rural Limerick. The broadband officer could also help establish hubs in towns and villages in the county, Cllr O’Brien said.