Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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39. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the timeframe and detailed plans for the way in which he will revise the current universal service obligation for telephony services from basic copper telephony to ensure high-speed broadband connectivity is available as an enforceable right to every person and his or her premises throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5827/17]

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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I wish the Minister well. It is good to see him back on his feet and at his desk.

My question relates to the universal service obligation. Does the Minister have a timeframe and what are his detailed plans for revising the current universal service obligation for telephony services from basic copper telephony to ensure high-speed broadband connectivity and to ensure it is available as an enforceable right.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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I thank Deputy Sherlock for his good wishes. The national broadband plan aims to deliver high-speed broadband services to every household, school and business in Ireland. This is being achieved through a combination of commercial investment by the telecommunications sector, and for those areas that will not be covered by commercial operators, the State has committed to intervene and subsidise a network build in order that nobody, no matter how isolated, is left behind. A formal procurement process is in train to select a company or companies which will roll out a new high-speed broadband network within the State intervention area. The procurement process is being intensively managed to ensure an outcome that delivers a future-proofed network that serves homes and businesses across Ireland for at least 25 years. The timeframe for the procurement continues to be dependent on a range of factors including the complexities that may be encountered by the procurement team and bidders during the procurement process.

There is no universal service obligation, USO, for high-speed broadband provision or mobile voice services in Ireland. The current EU and national regulatory framework for telecommunications relates solely to voice telephony and functional Internet access, which is 28.8 kilobits per second, kbps, and is provided for under the current EU regulatory framework governing telecoms. In September 2016, the European Commission published an ambitious proposal for the regulation of the European telecoms sector, which aims to incentivise and encourage increased investment in high-speed broadband networks. Negotiations on the review of the EU regulatory framework give Ireland an opportunity to seek inclusion of a USO in respect of high-speed broadband connectivity.

In that regard, I have raised at EU level the issue of a USO for high-speed broadband. I am seeking inclusion of a specific provision in the new framework that would allow member states to apply a USO for high-speed broadband where such networks are available.

My Department is also in discussion with the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, as to whether a USO may be a viable instrument in instances where a high-speed broadband network is available but individual premises cannot access such services at an affordable price.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Is the Minister saying that the Government's position is that it is without ambiguity seeking a USO for all premises and citizens? How many people in the Minister's Department are working on the national broadband plan? The Minister speaks of people being left behind, and across the political landscape we all acknowledge those people, but when will nobody be left behind? What is the reasonable expectation of people who do not have adequate coverage for the roll-out and 100% penetration?

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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We are seeking a USO because we feel it is probably the most effective way to deal with isolated cases in the blue area relating to the national broadband plan. There are places in Dublin 1 and Dublin 2 that cannot get high-speed broadband. We believe that the only way to enable them to do so is through a USO. We are trying to deal with issues, including those relating to local authorities, as they arise. The issues are not necessarily all on the side of the telecommunications company. The numbers on the national broadband plan vary at different times depending on the volumes of work that exist. We bring in specific contractors. We have seconded staff from some of the other agencies as well to work with us on this. The number varies from time to time. The Deputy asked when people will get broadband. The roll-out of fibre to homes in rural areas has already started. Some of my constituents have told me they have been contacted by some telecommunications operators to offer them fibre broadband with speeds of up to 1 Gbit. That has already started. We intend to fast-track the commercial roll-out in conjunction with the broadband and mobile phone coverage task force to ensure as many households as possible can access a minimum level of service to meet their current needs while fibre broadband is being rolled out to their homes.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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I would be very grateful if the Minister could revert to me with an indicative timeframe. It is also important that we know exactly how many staff are working on this important infrastructural project in the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment. Is the Minister planning for a scenario in which litigation is taken by one or more of the potential bidders for the national broadband plan? Is the Department making plans for such a potential scenario as we speak?

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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My priority and that of the officials in my Department is to roll out as much mobile, wireless, fixed-line or fibre broadband as we can as quickly as possible. We are facilitating the commercial operators in doing that. We are pushing the national broadband plan as far as we can. We are working closely with the three preferred bidders and the European Commission on the communications and competition sides. They are fully conscious of all the issues involved here. We have received our own internal legal advice on this matter. We are conscious of the need to be careful in everything we do in this regard. There is always a risk that one of the unsuccessful bidders could take legal action in the future. We are trying to ensure any case that arises in the future does not hold up the roll-out of the network. We are also seeking to ensure we will be able to defend any such case. This is a very complex process. The contract runs to 2,000 pages. Therefore, I cannot give a definitive timeline at the moment.

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Before we move on to Other Questions, I believe I speak on behalf of all Members of the House in welcoming the Minister, Deputy Denis Naughten, back to Leinster House and in saying that he is looking well after his recent accident. We wish him well.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I remind Deputies that we are running approximately 15 minutes late. I am anxious to accommodate all Members.