Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

The provision of telecommunications services in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland is a matter for the private sector. Service providers based in both jurisdictions offer services in each other's home market. Service providers in both jurisdictions also use each other's networks where commercially appropriate.

There is also cross-Border co-operation between both administrations. As part of the national development plan, the Government is working with the Northern Ireland authorities under the INTERREG co-operation programme to provide better broadband infrastructure on a cross-Border basis.

Several projects to provide broadband infrastructure on a cross-Border basis have been undertaken in recent years under the INTERREG North-South cross-Border co-operation programme, including the establishment of a cross-Border network of fibre and duct between Dublin and Belfast, the creation of a digital corridor between counties Armagh and Monaghan and the creation of high speed cross-Border networks between third level institutions in the north west via a new fibre link from Letterkenny to the Derry area.

There is also a cross-Border project promoting the use of broadband, the Broadband Awareness campaign. Phase 2 of this project, which has begun, will promote the safe use of broadband and Internet technologies. There are ongoing discussions with the Northern Ireland authorities on possible cooperation on broadband infrastructure under the new INTERREG North-South cross-Border programme. It is hoped to continue the cooperative working relationship with the authorities in Northern Ireland on projects for the development of broadband infrastructure on a cross-Border basis where appropriate.

See this speech in context