Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 370: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when he expects further progress on the development of integrated telecommunication networks on an all-island basis having particular regard to the welcome announcement of the abolition of roaming charges by a company (details supplied); the way in which he sees such developments progressing in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7097/06]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 376: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the steps he intends to take to ensure the quality of mobile phone services here are brought up to those available in other jurisdictions, notwithstanding recent progress by a company (details supplied) in regard to roaming charges; if he expects other service providers to follow this pattern; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7116/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 370 and 376 together.

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 71 of 21 February 2006.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 371: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the steps he has taken or instructions he has given through ComReg or directly through service providers with a view to achieving a higher and accelerated performance in regard to provision of broadband services with the objective of bringing Ireland back into serious contention as a European leader in the area of modern telecommunications such as broadband and mobile telephony; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7098/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband and mobile telephony, 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 in 120 towns and cities nationwide, on a phased basis in association with the local and regional authorities. Phase 1 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 with a population of 1,500 or greater that do not have a satisfactory broadband offering from the sector.