Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 282: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he is satisfied that investment in the telecommunications industry is in keeping with the requirements of a modern expanding economy; if Government policy is being adhered to in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5514/07]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 283: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will take initiatives, issue policy direction or otherwise intervene, directly with the service providers or through the regulator with a view to accelerating the availability of state of the art telecommunications facilities here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5515/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 282 and 283 together.

The telecommunications market is fully liberalised and regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, which is independent in the exercise of its functions. ComReg's objectives include the promotion of competition and the promotion of the interests of users. In an open market, decisions about investment, the provision of telecommunications services and the development and roll-out of telecommunications technology are primarily a matter for the industry itself.

As Minister with responsibility for policy in this sector, of course I welcome progress in the sector, particularly investment, innovation and competition.

However, where there has been clear market failure to provide necessary telecommunications services, the Government has acted. The Government's current broadband policy is to address market failure through investment in the construction of the open-access Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs), part-funding rural broadband access networks under the recently concluded Group Broadband Scheme (GBS) and laying the ground work for a National Broadband Scheme, (NBS). The NBS will supersede the GBS. When it is fully rolled out, it will ensure that all reasonable requests for broadband from houses and premises in rural areas are met.