Written answers

Tuesday, 27 March 2007

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Telecommunications Services

11:00 am

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 131: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has been contacted by over 150 residents of Kilmoganny, County Kilkenny who have been unable to obtain broadband services in their locality, and have been forced to petition both the Government and Eircom in this regard; the action he proposes to take to make sure that Kilmoganny residents and those living in similar situations across the country can access critical broadband services; when he will bring forward the proposed national broadband scheme to replace the recently disbanded rural group broadband scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11352/07]

Photo of Noel DempseyNoel 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, where appropriate, by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg.

I have received a copy of the letter and petition, which over 150 residents of Kilmoganny, County Kilkenny who have been unable to obtain broadband services in their locality, have sent to Eircom. The enabling of exchanges is a matter for the service provider, Eircom and I have no function in the matter.

However, a Steering Committee comprising officials from my Department and ComReg is currently finalising a new scheme, entitled the National Broadband Scheme, which will aim to provide broadband to those parts of the country where the private sector is unable to justify the commercial provision of broadband connectivity. The Steering Committee has met with Service Providers and key stakeholders about this scheme. The scheme, when it is fully rolled out, will ensure that all reasonable requests for broadband from houses and premises in unserved areas, including rural areas, are met. Areas without any broadband service will be the main priority under this scheme. Work on the design of an appropriate public tender is under way.

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