The Government has rejected a Fianna Fáil motion calling for an independent expert review of the National Broadband Plan after Eir pulled out of the tender to deliver high-speed internet connections to 540,000 rural homes.

The motion argues that “the ability of rural enterprises and farms to remain competitive and to carry out their administrative and commercial functions is being seriously harmed by the unavailability of broadband to them”. It also calls on the Government to consider “greater or full State intervention” to deliver the project.

Fianna Fáil spokesperson on communications Timmy Dooley told the Dáil “farmers who can’t access Department of Agriculture schemes, services and records” are among those in need of speedy delivery of the plan.

Independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice said the obligation on farmers to submit all BPS applications online this year should be postponed because of the broadband “fiasco”.

Minister Naughten acknowledged that these were “fair points”. However, he rejected the Fianna Fáil motion, arguing that the NBP process could continue with the remaining bidder Enet and that introducing a new review at this stage would add at least six months to delays.

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