Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 125: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when he will make an announcement regarding the tender for the full broadband enablement of the State; and the cost of this initiative in 2007 and 2008. [15677/07]

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).

Despite Government and private investment in broadband it is recognised that there remain areas of the country where the private sector is unable to justify the commercial provision of broadband connectivity. Accordingly, the new National Broadband 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. This Scheme will, when it is fully rolled out, ensure that all reasonable requests for broadband from houses and premises in unserved and rural areas are met.

A Steering Committee is currently considering all elements of the proposed scheme and the Department will commence the tender process in the coming weeks. The cost of the scheme will be determined through the tender process.