Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 35: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the steps which he is taking to ensure the roll out of broadband in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28373/07]

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 39: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the way he plans to introduce the 100% broadband coverage that he has recently commented on in view of the fact that most rural and Border areas are still without broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28987/07]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 56: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the steps he is taking to ensure the roll-out of broadband in rapidly growing communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28374/07]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 35, 39 and 56 together.

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 widespread provision of broadband services continues to be a priority for the Government. In that regard my Department has undertaken initiatives to address the gaps in broadband coverage. These include providing grant-aid under the recently concluded Group Broadband Scheme and investment in Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs).

There are still some parts of the country where the private sector will be unable to justify the commercial provision of broadband services. Accordingly, the procurement process for a National Broadband Scheme (NBS) is under way. The NBS will provide broadband services to areas that are currently unserved and will ensure that all reasonable requests for broadband in unserved areas are met. The first phase of the procurement process, the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) phase, is now complete and four candidates have pre-qualified. As my Department indicated on 2 September, the four candidates are, in alphabetical order, BT Communications Ireland Ltd Consortium, Eircom Ltd, Hutchinson 3G Ireland Ltd and IFA/Motorola Consortium.

The pre qualified candidates have been invited to participate in a competitive dialogue process which is now underway. My Department is anticipating that the award of the NBS contract will be in the second quarter of 2008, with roll-out of the services due to begin as soon as possible thereafter. This timeline is subject to negotiations with candidates during the competitive dialogue phase of the procurement process.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 37: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress on setting up a national advisory forum of telecoms experts; if his Department's policy paper on communications infrastructure is complete; the position and progress on next generation networks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28957/07]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The provision of telecommunications services, including next generation broadband is primarily a matter for the private sector operating in a liberalised market, regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). In response to developments in the Irish market and internationally, my Department is currently in the process of drafting a policy paper on Next Generation Networks (NGNs). The paper will consider and learn from international experience in NGN roll-out, review current communications policy and analyse policy options in relation to the optimum role for Government in the evolution to next generation broadband. I intend to convene a National Advisory Forum on NGNs to critique the paper and provide expert high-level guidance on future developments in the telecommunications sector. I am currently considering the membership of the forum.