Joe Walsh (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 298: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when he intends to roll-out the metropolitan area network to a town (details supplied) in County Cork. [4417/06]

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 fully liberalised private sector, regulated by Comreg, the independent Commission for Communications Regulation.

The Government is addressing the 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 over 90 towns in various locations nationwide including 15 towns in County Cork. Cork is developing projects in respect of the following towns: Bantry, Blarney, Carrigaline, Charleville, Cobh, Dunmanway, Fermoy, Kanturk, Kinsale, Midleton, Mitchelstown, Passage West, Ringaskiddy, Skibbereen and Youghal.

Design and procurement has already commenced in the Cork region and construction is due to start later this year. It is expected that these MANs will be completed during 2006 and 2007. Clonakilty is not part of the current roll-out but may be included in further phases subject to the necessary approvals and Exchequer funding being made available.

My Department's website, www.broadband.gov.ie, lists a number of broadband service providers already offering services in Clonakilty, County Cork, using a variety of broadband technologies such as DSL, wireless, fibre, cable and satellite. The website gives prices for the various services on offer, and contact details for each of the companies.