Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 110: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the fact that Northern Ireland has achieved 100% broadband penetration; the lessons to be learned from its example; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10556/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The provision of broadband services is, in the first instance, a matter for the private sector. Broadband service providers operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). The widespread provision of broadband services continues to be a priority for the Government. There are still some parts of the country where the private sector will be unable to justify the commercial provision of broadband services. In order to address this issue the procurement process for a National Broadband Scheme (NBS) is currently 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 Northern Ireland model was examined along with the methods used in other jurisdictions to address gaps in coverage during the planning phase of the scheme. Department officials met with their Northern Ireland counterparts to explore the approach in detail. The first phase of the NBS procurement process (Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ)) is now complete, and four candidates pre-qualified to enter the next phase of the procurement process. Following the withdrawal of the IFA/Motorola Consortium as a candidate the remaining three candidates have now commenced "Competitive Dialogue" with my Department and are developing their proposed solutions to meet my Department's requirements for the delivery of broadband to the unserved areas of the country. It is anticipated that a preferred bidder will be selected and appointed in June 2008, with roll out to commence as soon as possible thereafter.

Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 112: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will undertake an immediate audit of all broadband telecommunications infrastructure under public and private ownership nationwide, in particular an audit of all ducting infrastructure capable of carrying fibre-optic cable; if not, the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10695/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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My Department has prepared a draft Policy Paper on Next Generation Broadband and has recently completed a successful meeting of the expert International Advisory Forum to examine the issues, options and recommendations for future policy. There are a number of options available to Government which are considered in the policy paper, including how to make the optimum use of state infrastructure, such as ducting, to facilitate the private sector investment. The Forum has critiqued the paper and provided robust commentary on the approach the Irish Government should adopt. My Department will incorporate the advice of the Forum and I intend to publish the paper shortly for consultation with all stakeholders. I would encourage and welcome the views of all interested parties on the paper.