Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

In July 2008 I published a consultation paper on next generation broadband. The introduction of a regulation to require the installation of open access fibre connection in new premises, where practicable, was one of the proposed policy actions. I am keen to progress this quickly and I have set up a working group comprising officials from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, ComReg and my Department to examine a range of practical issues that need to be addressed before a regulation can be put into effect. These include the technical specifications and standards that will be required for open access fibre, cost implications and whether universal application is practicable. I intend that the group will have concluded its work, with new regulations, as a matter of urgency.

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