Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)

Given the crucial role of Eircom in respect of our telecommunications infrastructure and broadband, would it be possible for the Government in discussions with the possible new owners — there are many discussions that must take place, including with people representing the ESOT and other stakeholders — to request of them under the universal service obligation to operate the network in a way that would be beneficial to the final broadband enablement of Ireland? Is it good enough for the Minister of State to tell the House he is just a bystander? The Taoiseach, who is usually where the Minister of State is sitting, is always a bystander, the man in Croke Park watching the match. He is never the man who must take responsibility or run the team. In reality, he is the man who runs the team, as seen in the case of Aer Lingus where he made the decision to privatise the company. If the takeover occurs, does the Minister of State agree there should be a precondition set in respect of the shambles that is the roll out of broadband?

The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Noel Dempsey, has spoken about the mysterious "Project Dingle". Perhaps that should be "Project Daingean". As far as we on this side of the House have been able to determine, "Project Dingle" means that all of the broadband infrastructure of the semi-State bodies would be brought together under a single leadership. A dynamic person in the industry has recently taken over the running of Enet. With such a track record, what are the implications for "Project Dingle"? Will it go ahead or was it only conceived of by the Minister when he was answering questions in the House?

Given recent developments in respect of the Australian venture capitalists, is it not incumbent on us to speed up the introduction of new powers for ComReg, in particular regarding the regulation of the network, so the mess we have got into in the past six or seven years under this Administration will not continue?

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