Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 129: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans for the delivery of broadband and mobile telephone services to all areas throughout the country including such areas at the Black Valley, County Kerry and similar areas currently serviced by outdated technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20735/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The provision of broadband and other telecommunications services 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. Accordingly I have no function in this matter.

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 132: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has reviewed the recent statistics by a company (details supplied) on broadband pricing across the EU in view of his statement that broadband pricing here is 20 percent below the EU average; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20637/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware of the Forrester Research and I would point the Deputy towards figures produced by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, in their Quarterly report for March 2006, which supports my statement that broadband pricing here is below the EU average. In fact, the figures clearly demonstrate that in November 2005, Ireland ranked 6th out of the EU-15 countries and was 5 places better than the EU average in terms of price per megabyte for monthly ADSL rental.