Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

No. As a result of local loop unbundling we are starting to see change. One operator is providing ADSL, a fixed line service, with speeds of between 2 megabytes and 15 megabytes per second on 37 exchanges. That serves the possibility of 500,000 lines. Another provider is providing ADSL technology with speeds up to 8 megabytes per second on 22 exchanges, with the potential of 330,000 lines availing of that speed. The regulatory system has made positive changes and work is continuing in that regard.

In infrastructure the Government has a crucial role. The international advisory forum we set up is meeting tonight and includes experts from all over the world, East and West, Europe, Asia and America. It includes those with conviction and expertise in fixed line fibre optic solutions, mobile solutions, the European regulatory system and the Irish regulatory system. It is a useful forum or focus group that we use in politics because they work. It is good to get independent advice to tell one what to think about what one is doing.

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