Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 143: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the projected cost of construction of the six new MANs announced in June 2006; the persons to whom the principal contract has been awarded;the estimated number of customers that each MANs will reach; when each of the MANs will become operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25417/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The networks announced in June 2006 will be built in Castleblayney, Clones, Cootehill, Bailieborough and Ardee and consist of high-speed fibre and wireless masts in the towns. They are to cost an estimated €8.7 million. 90% of the cost of the project is co-funded by my Department and the EU under the National Development Plan 2000-2006. Monaghan, Louth and Cavan County Councils will fund the remaining 10% of €870,000. Monaghan County Council have appointed the works contractor Clarkes and the project managers MDM (McMahon Design and Management). Construction is due to start in July 2006 and will be concluded in summer 2007. Once complete the networks will be handed over to a Management Services Entity whose role will be to manage and operate the networks.

When designing the networks, the local authorities, in cooperation with the IDA, Enterprise Ireland and other relevant development agencies, were required to take account of existing and proposed business parks and areas zoned for industrial development. The route of each MAN incorporates all these elements where economically and technically feasible. The proposals were then evaluated by the technical advisers engaged by my Department, on the Regional Broadband Programme to ensure that the best possible solution was put in place.

These networks are offering these towns opportunities to attract inward investment in advanced technology and knowledge-based enterprises.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 144: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the cost of construction of all MANs erected here to date; the person who was the main contractor for the construction of each individual MANs; the turnover for each MANs for the latest accounting period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25418/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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Please see the following table. Details of turnover on the MANs for the last accounting period are commercially sensitive information and a matter for e-net the Management Services Entity.