Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 113: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the discussions which have taken place between his Department, other State, semi-State or private sector interests with a view to the provision of State controlled communications services, such as fixed line or mobile phone technology and broadband services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34521/05]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 134: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has had discussions with potential service providers with a view to the creation of a State of semi-State communications service with particular reference to mobile, fixed line or wireless technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34520/05]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 160: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the discussions he has had with the ESB, Iarnród Éireann or other bodies or agencies with a view to expanding the scope and scale of telecommunications services countrywide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34511/05]

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 179: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position regarding reports that his Department is examining proposals for a new publicly owned telecommunications company involving the ESB, Iarnród Éireann and RTE and their backbone and backhaul assets; when the consultants report on these proposals and broadband penetration is expected; if a special project in this regard is being pursued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34446/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 276: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the discussions he has had with the ESB, Iarnród Éireann or other bodies or agencies with a view to expanding the scope and scale of telecommunications services countrywide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34682/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 284: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has had discussions with potential service providers with a view to the creation of a State or semi-State communications service with particular reference to mobile, fixed line or wireless technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34691/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 285: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the discussions which have taken place between his Department and other State or semi-State or private sector interests with a view to the provision of State controlled communications services, such as fixed line or mobile phone technology and broadband services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34692/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 113, 134, 160, 179, 276, 284 and 285 together.

My Department regularly reviews all aspects of the broadband market and holds discussions with broadband interest groups, both public and private, to listen to their concerns. These discussions are ongoing, occasionally involving the State bodies referred to by the Deputies, and typically cover a range of issues relevant to broadband supply and demand nationally.

The Government is addressing the local infrastructure deficit by building high speed open access metropolitan area networks, MANs, in 120 towns and cities nationwide, on a phased basis in association with the local and regional authorities. Phase one of this programme has delivered fibre optic networks to 27 towns and cities throughout the country, which were built on time and under budget. This programme has been extended to a further 90 towns in various locations nationwide. Design and procurement has already commenced in several regions and construction is due to start early in 2006. It is expected that these MANs will be completed during 2006 and 2007. These metropolitan area networks will allow the private sector to offer world class broadband services at competitive costs.

In June 2004, the contract for management of the Government and local authority regional metropolitan broadband networks was awarded to e-Net, a company based in Limerick. The term of the contract is 15 years. e-Net operates as a wholesaler of access to the MANs and offers a full suite of products, including ducting, sub-ducting, dark fibre, high level managed capacity, co-location facilities and relevant auxiliary services. During the summer, e-Net issued a request for information, RFI, to interested parties inviting them to propose possible solutions for the provision of interconnect services from the MANs. I understand that E-Net is currently examining the responses received.

My Department also offers funding assistance for smaller towns and rural communities to become self sufficient in broadband through the county and group broadband scheme. Thescheme is technology neutral, allowing the community to select the most suitable broadband delivery platform for the area, with each application being assessed by the Department's technical advisers. To date, over 150 projects have been approved for funding under this programme.

A joint industry-Government fund of €18 million has been established for the broadband for schools programme, which will provide every school in the country with broadband by the beginning of 2006. This is a crucial strand in the strategy of integrating ICT into teaching and learning and the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources' wider vision of promoting the use of broadband technologies in local communities around the country. The construction-installation phase is now under way and the project is on target for completion within the set timeframe.

The Government believes that broadband connectivity forms a significant part of ICT development. High speed, resilient, low cost broadband is an essential feedstock for that sector. It has, and will continue to play, a vital role in moving Ireland to the forefront of knowledge based economies in the world.