Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 6, 8, 27, 34, 56, 104, 181 to 183, inclusive, and 185 together.

Progress on the availability of broadband in Ireland is out of line with the rest of Europe. We are providing availability at much higher rates than most European countries. In January 2004 we had 35,000 broadband customers, most recent figures indicate 140,000 customers, which is a 400% increase. In 2004 there were more than 80 Internet service providers while today more than 130 companies are listed by ComReg, with at least 45 different broadband offerings across a variety of technologies, including DSL, fibre, cable, leased lines and satellite technology.

In essence, broadband technologies can deliver broadband to any customer in Ireland. The rate of uptake is dependent on access by the service providers to suitable infrastructure. Because the level of investment by the sector in high-speed broadband infrastructure has failed to keep pace with the demand for broadband, my Department is addressing the infrastructure deficit, in co-operation with the local and regional authorities, by building high-speed open access fibre-based metropolitan area networks, MANs, in 120 towns and cities nationwide, using European regional development fund and Government funding under the National Development Plan 2000-2006. Full details of my Department's regional broadband programme can be found on the website, www.dcmnr.gov.ie.

I have set the industry a target of 500,000 broadband customers by the end of 2006. The Government's broadband target is to be within the top half of EU countries by the end of 2007. In the context of Ireland's ranking in various league tables, my officials and I have read and are aware of all current published reports. In that regard, Ireland's placing of 22nd in the World Economic Forum's 2005 report is a significant improvement on 51st position in the previous report in November 2003.

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