A critical factor in taking advantage of the opportunities offered by the new knowledge economy is the provision of quality and competitively based telecommunications infrastructure and services. This is the reason the Government and my Department have made the widespread availability of open access, affordable, always on broadband infrastructure and services for business and citizens a three year priority. This strategy, announced last March, recognises that a modern high speed, low cost communications and broadband network is an essential enabler of economic activity and social inclusion, particularly in the regions. In a liberalised market the primary responsibility for the provision of this infrasturcture resides with the private sector communications service providers. The Government has recognised the need to give an impetus to this service provision by deploying broadband infrastructure in the regions. To this end, an indicative amount of €200 million, from Exchequer funds, was provided for the development of broadband infrastructure in Ireland to cover the years of the National Development Plan 2000-2006.