Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 149: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will report to Dáil Éireann on the operation of the MANs broadband infrastructure; the targets and contractual obligations he has set for E-Net, the MANs operator; the way in which E-Net is fulfilling its targets and obligations and the proportion of the network which is lit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2132/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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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.

Further to a competitive, public tender process, E-Net was awarded the contract to manage, maintain, market and operate the MANs for a period of 15 years in June 2004. E-Net is an independent company based in Limerick established solely for this purpose.

Under phase 1 of the MANs programme, 23 networks have now been completed and handed over to E-Net. A further four MANs are nearing completion and due for hand-over to E-Net in quarter one of 2006. Activity has now begun on the networks with several customer contracts being signed by E-Net, including arrangements for backhaul and 20 of the 23 MANs have been lit to date. The details of these contracts are commercially sensitive and are a matter for E-Net.

E-Net's contractual obligations for the management, operation and maintenance of the MANs are set out in the concession agreement between my Department and E-Net. Tight controls exist within the concession agreement to closely monitor E-Net's performance. E-Net formally reports to my Department on a quarterly basis and is obliged to file various documents throughout the contract term dealing with its activities. E-Net also publishes an annual set of accounts. My officials closely monitor E-Net to ensure that it is fulfilling its obligations, in line with the concession agreement.