Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 356: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans, either directly or through the Regulator, to accelerate the delivery of broadband to all areas throughout the country within a short time, having particular regard to the progress in Northern Ireland and the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38874/06]

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 independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg.

The role of Government is to implement regulatory and infrastructure policies to facilitate the provision of affordable, high quality telecommunications services, by competing private sector service providers. 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. Direct funding has already been provided under the NDP 2000-2006 for the provision of backbone infrastructure and to upgrade local access infrastructure. My Department's regional broadband programme is addressing 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. The networks also offer towns opportunities to attract inward investment in advanced technology and knowledge based enterprises.

The Department also offered funding assistance for smaller towns and rural communities through the Group Broadband Scheme. The scheme is technology-neutral, allowing the community to select the most suitable broadband delivery platform for the area.

Despite private and public investment in broadband infrastructure there are still some parts of the country where the private sector will be unable to justify the commercial provision of broadband connectivity. Options to address these gaps in broadband coverage are currently being considered by a Steering Group comprising officials from my Department and representatives from ComReg. I expect to finalise proposals shortly.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 357: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if is satisfied that the programme for the delivery of broadband services throughout the country is expected to deliver maximum availability and take up in the shortest possible time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38875/06]

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 independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg.

The role of Government is to implement regulatory and infrastructure policies to facilitate the provision of affordable, high quality telecommunications services, by competing private sector service providers. 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. Direct funding has already been provided under the NDP 2000-2006 for the provision of backbone infrastructure and to upgrade local access infrastructure. My Department's regional broadband programme is addressing 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. The networks also offer towns opportunities to attract inward investment in advanced technology and knowledge based enterprises.

The Department also offered funding assistance for smaller towns and rural communities through the Group Broadband Scheme. The scheme is technology-neutral, allowing the community to select the most suitable broadband delivery platform for the area. Despite private and public investment in broadband infrastructure there are still some parts of the country where the private sector will be unable to justify the commercial provision of broadband connectivity. Options to address these gaps in broadband coverage are currently being considered by a Steering Group comprising officials from my Department and representatives from ComReg. I expect to finalise proposals shortly.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 358: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if is satisfied that deregulation in the Irish context is sufficiently focused to ensure the delivery of the full scale of modern telecommunication services including broadband and mobile telephony to all areas of the country; if an adequate degree of competition exists to ensure that the rights and entitlements of subscribers are fully observed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38876/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 132 of today.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 359: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the full extent of the BT proposals in regard to the provision and facilitation of broadband throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38877/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter in the first instance for private sector companies operating in a fully liberalised market regulated, by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. Private sector companies' investment proposals are matters for those companies. I have no function in this matter.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 360: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if, arising from a Sunday newspaper article his attention has been drawn to an alleged request from Eircom for the upgrading of a number of telephone lines which currently render it impossible to obtain broadband in some rural areas due to the use of shared or divided lines which were installed in the 1980s; if as suggested, funding to the extent of €200 million has been sought from the State to facilitate such an upgrade; the full extent of such enquiries or discussions including the alternatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38878/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware that Eircom has highlighted the infrastructure enhancements required in order to provide broadband services throughout its network. I also recognise that despite private and public investment in broadband infrastructure there are still some parts of the country where the private sector will be unable to justify the commercial provision of broadband connectivity. Options to address these gaps in broadband coverage are currently being considered by a Steering Group comprising officials from my Department and representatives from ComReg. I expect to finalise proposals shortly.