23rd March 2006
Dear Eoin,
I enclose herewith a letter which I've received from Mr. Frank Dawson on behaif of the Galway County Manager in which he
outlines the situation with regard to broadband. I appreciate your frustration at the delay and I will keep in touch with the County
Council from time to time in view of their clear commitment to the projeet. If you feel that I can be of any further assistance, do not
hesitate to contact me again.
Kindest personal regards,
Yours sincerely,
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March 13th 2006
Dear Senator Higgins
I refer to your correspondence to the County Manager, Mr Pat Gallaglier dated February 21st, 2006. My apologies for the time il has taken to reply to your correspondence. I had to clarify a few
issues with other parties in regard to the issue raised by Eoin Ó Riain. The provision of Broadband in rural areas is a priority issue for Galway County Council but we are once removed
from its provision as we are not suppliers of such services. We have facilitated local communities in working with ISP organisations 10 secure such services under the provisions of the
Department of Communications Group Broadband Scheme. (see  attached list for the
projects approved to date)
In regard to the specific project that Eoin Ó Riain raises I have been in contact with Údarás na Gaeltachta in regard to this and they inform me that they have been in
regular correspondence with Mr Ó Riain on this matter and they state that;
The agreement for the provision of broadband in the Cois Fharraige area is between the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources and the service providers COMJ
under the Group Broadband Scheme. Udarás na Gaeltachta neither received nor gave a grant for the provision of this service.
There is broadband connectivity in An Spidéal, Indreabhán is to come on-stream in the near future and the Casia and An Cheathrú Rua exchanges will be upgraded to DSL in the near
future. However, there continues to be some areas which fall between exchanges some of which include companies and business grant-aided by Udards na Gaeltachta. We are using our best
endeavours to have this issue addressed.
The unbundling of the local loop seems to be the main barrier to providing broadband through
local telephone exehanges which would appear to be the most efective mechanism for rural
areas to secure broadband services using existing infrastructure. Eircom are the keyholders to
this infrastructure.
Broad band services in Ballynahown (sic).
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According to the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources providers of Broadband for Baile na hAbhann are as set out on the attached page
We are well aware that
the topography of the West Galway area makes it particularly difficult to service all locations for Broadband, other than by fixed wire. Securing line of sight back to transmitters is a
difficulty and building more infrastructure is also difficuit due to the sensitive designation of the landscape. We will continue to examine the options under any further calls under the
County and Group Broadband Scheme, for improving the services provided in this general area, and all other areas of the County excluded from quanity broadband services.
I wish to emphasise that we are committed 10 working in partnership with local communities to
assist them secure the most effective broadband services in their areas. This will depend on the
extension ofthe County and Group Broadband Scheme or other similar initiative which is a
primary responsibility of the Department of Communications, and will require creative
responses lead by local demand.
I hope this information is of assistance to you and Mr Eoin Ó Riain.
Is mise le meas
Frank Dawson
Director of Services
Community, Enterprise and Economic Development Unit
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