John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 540: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to circumstances (details supplied); the directive he has issued to provide the broadband facilities in this region; if he will address the concerns raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14454/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband by private sector companies, is a matter, in the first instance, for the companies themselves operating in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, (ComReg). I have no function in relation to pricing for broadband services or with regard to the enabling of exchanges. These are matters for the service providers concerned.

The role of the Government is to implement regulatory and infrastructure policies to facilitate the provision of high quality telecommunications services, by competing private sector service providers. The Government has recognised, however, that in some areas of the country the market has failed to invest in broadband roll out. To that end the Government has intervened with various initiatives to facilitate broadband in these areas including investment in metropolitan area networks (MANs) and group broadband schemes. In addition to these interventions, I recently announced a National Broadband Scheme. This scheme will target the last 10% or so of the population who are without a broadband service and who would remain without a service without intervention. The Scheme will, when it is rolled out, ensure that all reasonable requests for broadband are met. The Department will commence the tender process in the coming weeks.