Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 101: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason the Government made no submission to a EU consultation process on the extension of the European Universal Service Obligation for broadband internet services; if he subsequently supported a decision on foot of this consultation process to exclude broadband internet services and mobile telephony services from the scope of universal service; his views on the recent comments by the new chairperson of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, Mr Eugene McCague, who said that the Government must establish new targets for the establishing of widespread availability of open-access, affordable, always-on broadband infrastructure and services as they had completely failed to achieve any of their previous targets and that Ireland may lose out on inward investment due to the too slow roll-out of broadband services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26623/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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My Department engages fully with the EU Commission on communications issues. As the Deputy may be aware, universal service in the communications area is a safety net for those whose financial resources or geographical location do not allow them to access the basic communications services that are already available to the great majority of citizens.

The Commission concluded that the mobile communications does not fulfil the criteria for inclusion in the scope of universal service as consumers already have widespread affordable access, and neither does broadband internet services as the current level of take up does not meet the criterion of use of the service by "a majority of consumers".

In relation to Irish broadband targets, the Deputy should note that in late 2004, when there were approximately 100,000 broadband subscribers, I set a new target of reaching 400,000 broadband subscribers by end-2006. A combination of private sector competition and Government policy has stimulated a rapidly growing broadband market in Ireland. The latest ComReg data reports that there were over 320,000 broadband subscribers by end-March 2006. I am confident of reaching my target by the end of this year. Government policy and private operators ensure an attractive telecoms market for foreign investors wishing to locate in Ireland. Mr. Sean Dorgan, of the IDA, has commented that Ireland's current broadband take-up has not had a negative impact on foreign investment into Ireland.