Telecommunications Infrastructure
Seanad Éireann — 2026-02-24
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Gareth Scahill (FG), Nominated by the Taoiseach

I thank the Minister of State for his response. I welcome the investment in this infrastructure and I know what we are trying to do. However, there is the reality on the ground. As I drive around the Roscommon-Galway constituency, I see areas in Fairymount where 500 m of cable are hanging down at the side of the road. I drive to Lisalway, heading out to Castleplunkett, and see the same thing. I have been up in County Donegal and when one drives to places such as Carndonagh, one is not oblivious to these cables hanging down as the side of the road. Somebody needs to be held responsible. Just because the service is being delivered to individuals at the moment, it does not mean it is right to leave these cables hanging along the roadsides. Something needs to be done. We need inspections on the ground. We need it tensioned up.
There is also a safety issue as we come into the verge cutting season. I am worried about that. It might put the service in jeopardy.
Just last week, I spoke to a lady in her early 80s. She said she has reported the issue to the phone provider numerous times but is still not getting a service. She is still paying for her service because she presumes the provider will look after her once the service is restored. Many of these private companies will not address the issue and will not look at tidying up because the standing orders are still coming in. That is where we have to take responsibility and be the ones to press those providers and ensure they are doing the work.
Deputy Cathal Crowe was in the viewing Gallery a moment ago. He will be experiencing the same thing in Clare. It is happening all across rural Ireland. It is a matter we must look at.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-02-24/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:41+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-02-24