Mr. Ciarán Ó hÓbáin:

First, the Chairman finished up his comment and question by referencing broadband. The issue with broadband is that there is a recognition by the State that left to the market, one will not have it and there were will be large numbers of people left behind. What one has there is a recognition by the State that there has to be a subsidy to fill that gap.

In terms of the mobile phone market it is commercial players, through a licensing system, that are providing services. The frustration of people, particularly those in rural Ireland, with mobile coverage is something that both we and, obviously, every Member of the House, are familiar with.

The mobile phone and broadband taskforce has resulted in some positive initiatives but its impact is really something that one will see over a longer period of time. It has brought together the operators with the local authorities, the State bodies and the regulator. That, of itself, has been of real benefit in terms of removing some of the barriers that are there, in speeding up the roll-out of infrastructure by commercial players and in providing a greater level of consistency.

I hear what the Chairman says on the mapping of black spots. Certainly people such as the Chairman, who are in touch within a particular geographical area, could probably contribute a lot but what we took was a structured approach through the broadband officers through the local authorities to do that mapping exercise. Then there is a separate exercise.