Limerick's phone lines to be 100pc broadband-enabled by year's end

Almost 100% of working telephone lines in the County of Limerick will be broadband enabled by the end of next year, according to Limerick West TD, Dan Neville.

The Fine Gael Deputy said that following extensive contact with Eircom regarding broadband roll out in Co Limerick he was informed that there are 57 exchanges in the county.

"25 exchanges are currently broadband enabled and a further 18 exchanges in the Limerick area are scheduled to be broadband enabled over the next eighteen months. When the scheduled exchanges are upgraded, 95% of working telephone lines in the county will be broadband enabled," Deputy Neville said.

It's emerged that the schedule was recently completed for roll out of broadband to the next wave of exchanges and it is anticipated that the Kildimo exchange will be enabled by June and the exchanges in Ballyhahill and Ballylanders will be broadband enabled by the end of 2008.

"This schedule is provisional however, and Eircom will provide further information closer to the time. Eircom anticipate that the following exchanges will be broadband enabled by the end of 2009. Again these dates are provisional and are subject to movement. I have made strong representations that more areas be rolled out before the end of this year," Deputy Neville said.

Eircom expect that the remaining exchanges will be covered by the National Broadband Scheme, according to Deputy Neville.

"Eircom has been shortlised as one of the candidates to enter the next phase of the procurement process and I have asked Eircom that in the event of eircom being successful it will expedite broadband roll out as much as possible," he said.

O'Sullivan fumes at risks from small vehicles on pathways

Limerick East Labour Deputy, Jan O'Sullivan has demanded a concerted effort by Gardai, Limerick City and Limerick County Council to remove the menace of small motor vehicles that are causing havoc on Limerick's beautiful scenic walks and riverbanks.