Businesses in Galway City and county that use the Internet got a much-needed shot in the arm today when the Minister for Communications, Mr Dermot Ahern, unveiled a new €9 million Internet broadband service.
Politicians and business leaders in the west have often complained about the "third-world" nature of infrastructure in the region and today's announcement was particularly welcomed by the Galway Chamber of Commerce.
"The launch of broadband in Galway is timely, if not overdue and the Galway Chamber of Commerce embraces it," said Mr Michael Coyle, chief executive officer with Galway Chamber of Commerce.
"We see broadband as being a vital part of Galway's infrastructure. Companies here that use the Internet for business were at a serious disadvantage as it was four-times more expensive for a Galway business than a Dublin one. The introduction of broadband in Galway will help to counter-balance that disadvantage," Mr Coyle added.
The Irish Internet Association (IIA) echoed the views of the Galway Chamber of Commerce in welcoming the launch of broadband in Galway.
"The IIA welcomes the announcement by the Minister as a positive sign that the issue of broadband is finally being addressed within the region, Ms Irene Gahan, chief executive officer with IIA, told ireland.com.
Ms Gahan said she hoped that broadband would now be introduced into other regions soon.
Work on rolling out the 45kms network is expected to be finished by the end of the year. The Galway project is part of the €65 million 19 towns national broadband initiative, which is 90 per cent funded by the Government.
Nationally, towns from Co Donegal to Cork, will be connected to the backbone broadband running through the country. Once the rollout is completed next year it will provide cheap always-on access to the Internet - a vital tool for industry and business and invaluable for educational institutes, health and research bodies.
The project, 90 per cent grant aided by the Government under the National Development Plan 2000-2006, is co-funded by the EU under the European Regional Development Fund.
Known as the Metropolitan Area Networks, it is being rolled out by local authorities in the 19 towns. In Galway, both the City Council and Co. Council are involved in a network that will stretch across the city and to Oranmore.
A unique feature of the Galway rollout is the plans being put in place to co-ordinate the installation of the fibre alongside the new natural gas main. Talks are at an advanced stage between Bord Gais and the city authorities concerning the co-hosting of both the gas main and the fibre network in a single duct.