Michael Ahern (Cork East, Fianna Fail)

This is making up for the five years when I did not answer a question.

The provision of top quality communications infrastructure in all regions including Dublin is essential for Ireland's continued growth and prosperity. The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources is well aware of my views on the issues of communications infrastructure and in particular next generation access style fibre optic broadband.

The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources is finalising a policy paper on the optimum role of Government in the development of next generation broadband in Ireland. The paper will examine the developments in the broadband market in Ireland and internationally and consider a wide range of issues, including the possible use of existing State infrastructure, such as ducting, and how it can be used to support faster roll-out of state-of-the-art networks by market players. The paper will be examined by an international advisory forum of telecoms experts to be established shortly by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. I understand that the paper will be published for consultation and submissions invited.

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