Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 54: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the most recent OECD figures on broadband provision that puts Ireland below average of OECD countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28977/07]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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There were 653,000 broadband subscribers (excluding mobile) in Ireland at end of quarter two of 2007 according to official figures from ComReg. Additionally, there were 45,000 mobile broadband subscribers in Ireland at the end of June 2007 giving a total of 698,000 subscribers. The 698,000 figure represents a penetration rate of 15.4 subscribers per 100 of population.

Ireland's growth in broadband penetration is exceptional. Last week's report from the OECD shows that we have the strongest per capita subscriber growth in the OECD, with Ireland adding 6.6 subscribers per 100 inhabitants during the past year, far ahead of the OECD average of 3.65 per 100 inhabitants. It might be noted that the OECD assessment understates Ireland's competitive position as regards broadband access due to the larger size of households in Ireland.