Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 183: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the steps he will take to provide a State controlled broadband and telephone network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11246/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband and telephone is a matter in the first instance for the private sector companies operating in a fully liberalised market, regulated, where appropriate, 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.

The Government has recognised, however, that a lack of investment by the private sector in the necessary telecommunications infrastructure has acted as an impediment to the speedy rollout of competitive, affordable broadband services in Ireland, principally in the regions.

In partnership with local and regional authorities, the Government is funding the construction of high-speed, open-access telecommunications networks, known as Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs), in around 120 towns and cities nationwide. This is complemented by the Group Broadband Scheme for smaller towns and rural communities.

It is planned to address the question of availability of broadband to the remaining areas via a new National Broadband Scheme which, when it is fully rolled out, will ensure that all reasonable requests for broadband from houses and premises in unserved rural areas are met. A Steering Group comprising representatives of the Department and ComReg is currently finalising the outline of the new scheme, which will supersede the Group Broadband Scheme. Work on the design of an appropriate public tender is under way.