Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 85: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide details on the backgrounds of the people who contributed to the international advisory forum on next generation networks in Dublin in February 2008; if other people were asked to contribute but were unavailable; the names of those people; his views on whether the forum had a consequent lack of expertise in any particular fields; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10692/08]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 90: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide a detailed timetable of actions he proposes to take on the urgent need to accelerate roll-out of high speed broadband infrastructure throughout the country in the wake of the international advisory forum on this issue that met in Dublin in February 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10697/08]

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 131: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will report on the recent meeting of the international advisory forum on broadband; the cost in expenses of this forum; the timeframe for publication of the report; if ComReg has its own advisory forum on next generation networks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10555/08]

Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 139: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide a detailed breakdown of the total cost to the taxpayer of the international advisory forum on next generation networks held in Dublin in February 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10693/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 85, 90, 131 and 139 together.

As Deputies are aware, considerable emphasis is being placed internationally on the development of next generation broadband, NGB, networks. This is a big issue for telecommunications policy in Ireland and I am determined that the approach we adopt will be the right one. To that end, my Department has prepared a draft policy paper on NGB networks. That paper has been critiqued by the international advisory forum, IAF, on NGB networks.

The following people participated on the international advisory forum on next generation broadband networks. Mr. H. Brian Thompson is the executive chairman of Global Telecom and Technology, a multi-network operator. He has previously served as chairman of both the advisory committee for telecommunications and, more recently, the advisory committee on infocoms, both established by my Department. He is also a member of the Taoiseach's Ireland-America Economic Advisory Board. Mr. Frank Sanda founded Japan Communications in 1996 and is chief executive officer of the company. Prior to this, he served as chief executive officer of Apple Computer Japan and as vice president and general manager at Motorola. Ms Isolde Goggin is a former chairperson and commissioner of the Commission for Communications Regulation. She now works as an independent telecommunications and regulatory affairs consultant. Ms Goggin is also a member of Ofcom's Advisory Committee for Northern Ireland. Mr. Kenneth Carter is a senior consultant at wik-Consult, based in Germany and is a member of the firm's NGN and Internet economics department. Mr. Carter was previously senior counsel for business and economics in the office of planning and policy analysis at the United States Federal Communications Commission. Mr. Tony Shortall is an economic adviser within the European Commission. He was a senior economist at the Irish Competition Authority between 1997 and 1999. Mr. Michael R. Nelson is currently visiting professor of Internet studies in Georgetown University's communication, culture and technology programme. Prior to this, Mr. Nelson was director of Internet technology and strategy at IBM. He has also served as director for technology policy at the United States Federal Communications Commission and as special assistant for information technology at the White House office of science and technology policy where he worked with Vice President Al Gore on telecommunications policy. Mr. Martin Cronin is the chief executive officer of Forfás. He is also a member of the National Competitiveness Council, the Advisory Council for Science, Technology and Innovation, the Higher Education Authority, the Management Board of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the board of the Tyndall National Institute.

As is evident from its membership, the forum brought together valuable insight and expertise into the development of Ireland's future broadband policy. The members brought a diverse range of knowledge and experience from around the world.

The draft policy paper is currently being updated to reflect the forum's contribution and will be published shortly for public consultation. The estimate of the cost of the International Advisory Forum on NGNs is €50,000. A breakdown of estimated costs is not yet available.

Within ComReg there in an internal NGN working group. ComReg also facilitates a separate, independently chaired NGN group, which comprises two sides, one addressing next generation access and the other addressing next generation network core issues.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for a detailed reply. I accept there are some impressive CVs on the forum. Will the Minister explain the reason he chose not to have any current business users of broadband services in Ireland on that forum? It would surely have made sense to ask businesses and consumers what they need, the speeds they need, what services they can access, how much they pay and whether they are satisfied with it. I would be surprised if the Minister was not receiving letters of concern from industry and business leaders about the lack of telecommunications infrastructure. The purpose was to examine international best practice but I would have thought the Minister could have benefited from the expertise and views of existing broadband users in Ireland, particularly when one considers the number of foreign companies in Ireland.

In terms of rapid roll-out of next generation broadband, countries such as France and Scandinavian countries are the success stories in Europe yet no one from these countries will attend. While there is a representative from Japan, he is the only person from the Middle East or the Far East with significant success in this area. Could the Minister outline the process that led to the appointment of these people? Were there terms of reference, a skill set demand or did the Department use its contacts in putting together a group of people with whom it had past correspondence or contact?

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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We wanted a mix. It is difficult to talk about these individuals because they gave their time.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am not questioning individuals.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Of the first two I mentioned, Mr. Thompson comes from a strong American position and has experience in the fixed-line business, while Mr. Sanda from Japan has extensive experience in mobile networks, particularly in the evolution of mobile networks at the present time. It is an example of regulatory, business — both fixed-line and mobile — and international backgrounds. It is not easy to get people and I commend those who gave of their time in support of the Government and the Irish people in developing policy in this area.

Regarding the inclusion of domestic business users, I did not exclude that and referred earlier to meeting providers. I suggested to some of these people to join the forum but we decided to keep it as an international forum before opening up to a wider consultation forum, which would involve telecom providers, industry users, enterprise and development agencies and anyone with an interest in this rapidly changing area. We did not preclude it but, having suggested it to some of the Irish industry operators who have taken a strong view on it, we decided it was better to leave it as it is.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Regarding where we develop from here, the Minister stated that we will see an amended policy document from the Government in the middle of April. This is quite soon. Could the Minister seek time in the House to debate that report? The Opposition would like to do that. Could he indicate the timescale we can expect for the consultation process? There is a great deal of impatience in the sector affected by this issue. It wants to see the Government taking a position and investing money in the national development plan to subsidise certain areas and encourage the private sector to roll out next generation broadband. Can the Minister indicate a timescale so that we have a target towards which to work?

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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It should be short — a number of months — because this is a fast-changing area. We want to encourage investment by the private sector in the technological developments being considered at present. I do not want long and drawn out speculation on government intervention delaying investment from private operators. Considering the example of countries that were successful, Denmark and the UK — the countries we must compare ourselves against — they are successful because they have a competitive environment. The competitive spur between, for example, a cable company and a fixed line operator or another mix drives the investment that leads to higher bandwidth speeds. The Government will have a crucial role in stimulating demand, supporting where the market cannot deliver, ensuring we use existing assets in a co-ordinated way, particularly in backhaul or inducting, and changing building regulations so that all new buildings are future proofed and existing buildings are retrofitted. The primary response will come from a competitive market here.

We are seeing developments in that area. We have a more competitive market between cable companies, fixed line operators, mobile operators, 3G operators and wireless companies, all of whom are investing. We should not block that investment by holding out the carrot that the Government will step in with a magic solution. We must create the right conditions and a range of policy measures that steer us in the right direction. That will be contained in the report and will be an ongoing process.

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Many areas in the rural constituency of Cavan-Monaghan do not have access to broadband. I accept the Minister's point on competition but this exists only in built-up areas. Whatever the Minister does to bring this process forward, I hope he recognises the urgent need for roll-out in all areas. Jobs are being lost in rural areas. The opportunity is there to provide home jobs to a certain number of people if they have broadband.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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On the same issue, I agree with the Minister's last comments. The State's job is to facilitate competition in this area and, where there is market failure, to subsidise where necessary. By doing things such as building regulations to require ducting into every house and business that is being built in the country, we facilitate competition. By setting up an audit to maximise existing infrastructure, we facilitate a more proactive, aggressive and competitive market place, which is what consumers and business people want. In areas where there may be market failure, and where we are applying the national broadband strategy, will whoever wins the tender process for the national broadband strategy be required to provide next generation access to rural parts of the country or will it be the speeds that we are embarrassed about in Ireland?

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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In response to Deputy Crawford, we must consider what will be the next leap forward, the next crucial development. We must ensure we assist and develop broader digital technology changes that are occurring. The computer industry is moving from one where all the services are on a PC in an office or on a laptop to one where many services will be available on a network. Those in the computer industry refer to the need for ubiquitous access, easy accessibility to a network, if a country is to adapt to that computer world. The range of different applications and services may not require 100 megabyte speed; they may be a series of smaller applications but cumulatively they create a market and a demand for high broadband speed that is sustainable and commercially viable. To use a green metaphor, the strength of a tree is on the leaves as well as the backhaul or the trunk. It is vital to have ubiquitous access in Monaghan, Cavan and elsewhere through a range of different and often interoperable platforms, including mobile and fixed. A more open access network facilitates the development of other new digital technologies, be it a mobile device for broadcasting, games or other material or a basic and simple laptop that will draw down applications from the Internet rather than having its own hard disk.

The telecommunications industry must facilitate an imminent significant change in the computing industry. One will support the other. There will be a commercial case for the telecommunications operator through the myriad applications that are only now becoming apparent in the changing computing world. In many instances, the ubiquity, ease and flexibility of access is as important as speed.

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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There is no access. That is the problem.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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To answer Deputy Coveney, we are engaged in a competitive dialogue process in respect of the national broadband scheme and must be careful about interfering in it while companies look to determine the best position. The Government would seek an evolving system so that access speeds can improve in line with speeds elsewhere in the country. This will be difficult in rural areas because of the nature of economics, in that it is more difficult to serve a rural isolated area with a small number of houses compared to a housing estate or large apartment block in a city centre. There is no getting away from the fundamental economic difference. A benefit of our demography will be the development of new innovative access solutions to suit our topography and to be a part of a flexible and ubiquitous open access network.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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I am sure the Minister appreciates that he is dazzling us with his knowledge, but Deputy Crawford's question was when all parts of Monaghan would get broadband. Coverage in Northern Ireland is 100% and Monaghan is a Border county. I would have believed it a simple matter to tell the Deputy when it is he might expect to be able to inform his constituents of the answer to the above question. What is the total cost of the international advisory forum and its processes?

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The national broadband scheme is a key component in ubiquitous access because it will lead to a situation in which Cavan, Monaghan and elsewhere will be covered.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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The Deputy wanted to know when.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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For the operations to start delivering, we must sign off by June. It will take a further 18 months or so to deliver.

Northern Ireland is a good example and we must measure ourselves in terms of developments north of the Border as well as south because the topographies are similar. Broadband uptake is speeding up in Ireland and we have reached the point of equal access with the North. We are not satisfied by this, though, and want to be more ambitious.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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That is not true.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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In speaking with ComReg about the latest figures on uptake levels, it is my understanding that we are on a par with the North.

I will not dazzle anyone, but these are the key issues. If approximately 50% of homes have broadband access, which is the amount towards which we are heading, what limits the development of ubiquitous open access and a range of small applications? One limit is that 40% of households do not have computers.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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We are discussing availability.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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A benefit of the national broadband scheme and other Government interventions in demand management stimulation is to examine ways in which to ensure we will avoid putting broadband connections in homes where there are no computers. The connection is needed for a computer, not a cooker. We must determine how to increase the number of homes with computers if we are to increase broadband figures and what the purpose is of people getting new computers.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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With all due respect, could we not concentrate on getting broadband to the people who have computers and who want broadband? This is what the question is all about.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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We are discussing availability for those who want it. While everyone in Northern Ireland can get it, only 25% of people in the Republic can get it.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The figure will be 100% after we complete our national broadband scheme.

Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Thousands of people have been waiting.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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To answer Deputy McManus's request for a cost, the amount is €50,000.

Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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The Minister speaks of rural Ireland as if it were an alien planet. It has an extensive telephone system, but people cannot get broadband connections because the Government has not invested in upgrading lines. On a regional road near Larha in north Tipperary, a person cannot get a chip and pin service because the telephone is too far from the exchange and the line is out of date.

The Minister referred to a tree trunk. Taking Thurles, a large provincial town, as an example, there is no trunk because no tree was planted. It was left out of the MANs project. Why is this occurring and why will the Minister not take responsibility and provide a broadband service in a provincial town like Thurles? He should not state that it is up to competition to handle, as it is up to the Government to give guidance and investment so that places such as north Tipperary can benefit. Perhaps it would be worth the Minister's while to visit and see that we in rural Ireland are not ETs.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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If I may explain my metaphor, my roots go right down into Tipperary——

Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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It has been a while since the Minister checked them.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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——and the Glen of Aherlow.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Perhaps the Minister should go home for a while.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I visit the Glen of Aherlow and other locations around the country regularly.

Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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That is an alien country, as I was discussing north Tipperary.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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In delivering the national broadband scheme, it is our ambition to serve——

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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They probably write to the Minister.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Minister has been in the Pale for too long.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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——the Ryans in the Glen of Aherlow and everywhere else.

Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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We will invite the Minister to see for himself.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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We will discuss green acres another day, as we must move on.