Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 240: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he anticipates entering into discussions with the new owners of Eircom with a view to achieving a higher degree of investment in communication technology, the completion of local loop unbundling and the removal of barriers to an accelerated programme for the delivery of broadband and the telecommunications sector generally, having particular regard to the need to achieve a specific level of investment commensurate with the scale of the companies responsibilities and the requirements of the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26715/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 77 on Wednesday 5th July 2006.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 241: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if, in view of the slow progress in the provision of broadband facilities throughout the country, he has considered issuing new instructions or directions to the Regulator with a view to identifying and speeding up the process, having particular regard to the current and future needs of both the domestic and commercial sectors of the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26716/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I have no plans to issue instructions or directions to the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg in relation to the provision of broadband facilities. The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter in the first instance for private sector companies operating in a fully liberalised market.