Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 29: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on reports that his Department is examining the way private-sector investment in broadband can be encouraged; the implications of same for Government intervention in the broadband market; his views on whether this is an admittance of the Government's failure to implement broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23094/07]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter for the private sector. Broadband service providers operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated, where appropriate, by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg.

The role of the Government is to formulate regulatory and infrastructure policies to facilitate the provision of high quality telecommunications services, by competing private sector service providers.

The Programme for Government contains a commitment to encourage a progressive shift to Next Generation Networks. My Department is currently preparing a draft policy paper that will review current communications infrastructure policy, and analyse policy options, in light of industry developments, in relation to the optimum role for the Government in the planning and rollout of next generation broadband.

A National Advisory Forum of telecoms experts will be established towards the end of the year to critically evaluate the policy options contained in the draft paper. The paper will be published thereafter.