Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 302: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent to which he intends or expects to accelerate the programme for the provision of broadband and ancillary facilities to all parts of the country; the timescale envisaged for 100% availability and uptake; if his attention has been drawn to the necessity for action in this area in view of the urgent and pressing requirements of the industrial, commercial and domestic sector, both manufacturing and services; if the reason for the failing to meet previously set targets are to be addressed within a reasonable timescale; if the issue of the need for investment in the telecommunications services has been or is expected to be dealt with in the near future, specifically or through the national development plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5730/07]

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.

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. While I do not have direct control over the number of people taking up broadband subscriptions my Department continues to promote the use of broadband through initiatives such as the Broadband Awareness television adverts.

The Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill, which was published this month, is primarily designed to strengthen the regulatory framework for the electronic communications sector. The Bill will enable ComReg to better achieve one of its primary functions, which is the promotion of competition, thereby leading to better and more competitively priced telecommunications services for consumers. This Bill is on the priority list of legislation for enactment by the Government, during the current term of the Dáil. I expect to bring it before this House shortly.

It has also 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. The Government has also taken the initiative to address market failure through investment in the construction of the high speed, open-access Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs), while also grant aiding rural broadband projects under the Group Broadband Scheme (GBS).

However, despite Government and private investment in broadband there are parts of the country where the private sector is unable to justify the commercial provision of broadband connectivity. It is planned to address the question of availability of broadband to the remaining 10-15 per cent via a new scheme which, when it is fully rolled out, will ensure that all reasonable requests for broadband from houses and premises in rural areas are met. A Steering Group comprising representatives of my Department and ComReg are currently finalising the outline of the scheme. The National Broadband Scheme (NBS) will supersede the GBS.