Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 646: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the poor provision of telecommunications in the area of Glencar, County Sligo; and that a signed petition with over 300 signatures was sent to Eircom in relation to securing a remote telephone exchange and high speed broadband for the Glencar catchment area; his views on whether it is acceptable that communities are left with such poor telecommunications; if he will investigate same with Eircom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4592/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 645 and 646 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. I have no function in the matter of the enabling of exchanges owned by private companies. However, it is hoped that the facilitation of greater competition in the area via the introduction of broadband from different technology platforms will encourage the more rapid enabling of all exchanges for broadband.