Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 663: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has had further discussions with the ESB, Iarnród Éireann or other agencies with a view to improving or extending the scale of telecommunication services throughout the country with particular reference to the need to provide alternatives to the 900 telecommunications customers nationwide who currently obtain service through a battery assisted technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2209/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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Responsibility for the provision of telecommunications services throughout the country rests with Eircom as the designated universal service provider under the European Communities (Electronic Communications Networks and Services) (Universal Service and Users' Rights) Regulations 2003, SI 308 of 2003, transposing Directive 2002/22/EC. The Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, is the authority responsible for designation and regulation of the universal service provider.

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 Deputy, 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. Under phase one, 23 networks have now been completed and handed over to E-Net. Activity has now begun on the networks with several customer contracts being signed by E-Net, including arrangements for backhaul.

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. The scheme 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 and 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's wider vision of promoting the use of broadband technologies in local communities around the country. The construction and 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.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 665: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the discussions he has had with various interests and service providers in regard to the development of the broadcasting industry here with particular reference to both the public and private sector and digital television; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2211/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has consulted widely with both public and private interests in the digital terrestrial television, DTT, pilot project and with regard to the development of proposals for a national roll out of DTT. This has involved engagement with various parties including broadcasters, content makers, regulators, industry representative groups and other stakeholders.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 666: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the way in which he anticipates EU directives in respect of television to affect services here in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2213/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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A proposal to update the EU television without frontiers directive, to keep pace with rapid technological and market developments in Europe's audiovisual sector was tabled by the European Commission in December last.

The most significant aspect of the Commission's proposal is directed at updating the definition of the services that would be covered by the directive to ensure that all audio-visual services that are of the same nature as "traditional television broadcasting" should be subject to the same rules.

The provisions of an amended directive will be important to Ireland as a significant amount of the television watched by Irish audiences is not subject to Irish regulation. Accordingly, the minimum guaranteed regulatory measures included in the directive are of real consequence. I am of the view that the Commission's proposal does not adequately address the issue of jurisdiction over broadcasters and broadcasting services. Ireland has consistently argued that broadcasting services that are primarily targeted at this market should be subject to Irish rules. Ireland, along with a number of other member states, has made clear its concerns in this regard to the EU Commission. This is an issue that Ireland will continue to address as the proposals for an amended directive are discussed in the Council and working group meetings.

In developing my position on the Commission's proposal I will shortly initiate a public consultation seeking views from interested parties.

Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 667: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position regarding the provision of broadband for the Castlefin area of County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2231/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter in the first instance for the private sector companies operating in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg.

Technological advances have brought broadband to the forefront of communications in just a few years but the service providers have not risen to the challenge to deliver the service in all areas. Market forces, and the availability of suitable infrastructure and backhaul, will determine whether a company offers broadband in any area.

A principal reason for the slow roll out of broadband services generally has been the lack of investment by the private sector in suitable infrastructure. My Department is addressing the infrastructure deficit by building open-access metropolitan area networks, MANs, in 120 towns and cities nationwide, in association with the local authorities, using Government and European Regional Development Fund funding under the National Development Plan 2000-2006. Under Phase I of the scheme, a MAN was built in Letterkenny and, under Phase II, a MAN for Ballybofey is at the design and planning stage. It is expected to be completed in 2007.

My Department also administers a group broadband scheme that delivers broadband to many underserved rural areas. Under this scheme, the nearest project to Castlefin has been approved for the Raphoe area. Furthermore, my Department's website www.broadband.gov.ie gives full details of broadband availability in the Castlefin area. The website also lists prices of the various service levels on offer and contact details for each service provider.