Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 178: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the cooperation there has been with his northern counterparts regarding the roll-out of broadband throughout the island; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20684/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The telecommunications sectors in both jurisdictions on the island of Ireland are fully liberalised but regulated, by ComReg in this jurisdiction and by OFCOM in Northern Ireland. My Department and Northern Ireland's Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment are jointly implementing the €7.56 million, EU supported, Interreg IIIa initiative, which is funding a number of projects to improve broadband connectivity in border areas.

The Departments enjoy an excellent working relationship and will be launching a cross border 'Broadband Awareness Campaign' during the summer. Both Departments are continuing to work with the SEUPB (Special European Union Programmes Body) on the formation of the next phase of EU border programmes.