It's claimed a delay in the roll-out of Ireland's National Broadband Plan could be disastrous for homes and businesses across Co. Clare.
It comes as the Department of Energy, Communications and Natural Resources have confirmed the scheme will not get underway this year as planned.
Under the plan, the outgoing government committed to supplying high speed broadband to 750,000 non-urban homes and businesses by the year 2020.
However, it's now emerged that the roll-out will not begin in 2016 as planned, due to a delay in negotiations with bidders for the state contract to run the scheme.
It means people in rural areas of Clare will have to wait until at least 2022 for the promised broadband speeds.
Ennis Fianna Fail Councillor Clare Colleran Molloy is hitting out at what she claims is government inaction on the issue.
Meanwhile a former President of Kilrush Chamber of Commerce has described the delay as "ridiculous"
Businessman Patrick Bourke says it is already difficult for businesses to operate in West Clare due to the poor internet speeds being received and the area is now in danger of being left even further behind.
