Paddy McHugh (Galway East, Independent)
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Question 124: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans to provide fibre optic broadband to serve a town (details supplied) in County Galway in order that the town is provided with a world class broadband service to enable it achieve it's potential; when he will be announcing the next roll out of broadband to serve those towns not already being served with fibre optic broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35075/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter in the first instance for the private sector companies operating in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), the independent regulator. However, it has been clear for some time that the private sector has failed to invest at the level necessary to keep pace with the demand for broadband. Consequently my Department's regional broadband programme aims to address the infrastructure deficit by building high speed open access broadband networks, in association with the local and regional authorities, in the major towns and cities. These Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) will allow the private sector to offer world-class broadband services at competitive costs.

Some 27 MANs have been completed under Phase One. The second Phase of the programme involves the building of MANs in over 90 towns with a population of 1,500 and above that do not have a satisfactory broadband offering from the private sector. Tuam is not part of Phase Two but may be included in a further phase subject to the necessary approval and Exchequer funding being made available.