Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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Question 232: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the action he is taking to ensure that broadband service will be provided in the Palmerstown, Dublin 20 area as companies (details supplied) do not provide a broadband service there. [17960/05]

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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Question 233: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if it is acceptable that no broadband service will be provided in the majority of Palmerstown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17961/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 232 and 233 together.

I understand the telephone exchanges serving the Palmerstown area have been enabled for the provision of DSL broadband and a number of service providers are marketing broadband in the area. The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter for the private sector companies operating in a fully liberalised market. Recent press announcements by some of the major service providers indicate a growing level of competition in the broadband market and a considerable increase in availability. While the principal broadband technology in use in Ireland is digital subscriber line, DSL, which is also the situation in most European countries, there are technical limitations to the service, such as line quality and distance from the exchange. Even though a line may be in an enabled exchange it may not be suitable for DSL broadband. If a telephone line cannot carry DSL, other technologies may need to be considered, such as wireless, cable modem or satellite. My Department's website, www.broadband.gov.ie, lists a number of service providers who offer broadband in the Palmerstown area, including nine DSL, one wireless and eleven satellite providers. The website also gives comparative details of prices and service levels and can be used to check if an individual telephone line can carry DSL broadband.