Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 347: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans to create 100% availability of broadband as has been achieved in other jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20834/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 87 of 30 May 2006.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 348: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he intends to issue a direction to the regulator with a view to achieving the desired level of development and investment in the telecommunications sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20835/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The provision of telecommunications services in a fully liberalised market is, in the first instance, an operational issue for the service providers concerned. Responsibility for the regulation of electronic communication service providers rests with the independent regulator, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), in accordance with the requirements of the Communications Regulation Act 2002 and the Regulations, which transpose the EU Regulatory Framework for Electronic Communications.

I have no plans to issue ComReg with a policy direction in this regard. Policy Directions are a tool available to me to direct ComReg in relation to high-level strategic objectives, within the confines European and national law. Investment by private sector companies is a matter for themselves in a fully liberalised market.