Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

Delays have been experienced in the provision of broadband but did the Minister take any action about them? At least three years ago, the then Minister had discussions with a number of market providers in various communications areas with a view to establishing an accelerated programme. Why was some action not taken at that time, given that the alarm bells had begun to ring? Will the Minister of State indicate to what extent he and the Government have identified the causes of the delays and set about remedying them? The joint committee's report is a damning indictment of the process of providing broadband in this country. It compares most unfavourably with the dramatic results achieved in other jurisdictions in a shorter time by doing some of the things the Minister and his Department refused to do.

Will the Minister indicate whether the number of potential service providers could be increased? What obstructions caused them to remain outside the market and can they be dealt with? To what extent is the Minister willing to examine local loop unbundling and other issues associated with market dominance? Economists have suggested it is vital for the State to have some control over elements of the telecommunications infrastructure, otherwise it will not be possible to meet future requirements.

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