Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

Is there an audit of the value for money of the metropolitan area network scheme under way at present which will present its results before the end of the year? Is it appropriate in the absence of the results of that audit to cut funding by €10 million?

Is the Minister rowing back on phase two of the metropolitan area network scheme, where 90 towns have been promised metropolitan area networks? How does that fit into the new broadband strategy that the Minister will unveil in 2008?

Will the Minister give detailed figures to break down the €10 million coming from the communications and information technology budget? Does it all come from metropolitan area networks or is it money left over from group broadband schemes that have been abandoned? We have a detailed breakdown of the money coming from the energy RTDI programmes but no breakdown of the €10 million. Is it a global figure for unspent money? Why is it unspent considering our position in terms of broadband roll out?

The budget allocation at the start of the year for the energy RTDI programme was €7.1 million. Now we are transferring €6.2 million from that budget, leaving little or nothing for research and development in the energy area under the Minister's portfolio. Is that correct? If so, where is the Department getting its money for research and development in renewable energy for 2007?

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