Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 274: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his proposals to meet the challenge of knowledge-based economies throughout Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10981/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 275: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plan to bring the quality, availability, speed and cost of broadband or other information communications technology up to the best in Europe; when he expects to reach such targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10982/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 274 and 275 together.

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, 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, by competing private sector service providers, of high quality telecommunications services, including broadband as a key enabler of the knowledge economy.

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 are met.

The first phase of the procurement process (Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ)) is now complete, and four candidates pre-qualified to enter the next phase of the procurement process. As my Department indicated on 2 September 2007, the four candidates were, in alphabetical order, BT Communications Ireland Ltd Consortium, Eircom Ltd, Hutchinson 3G Ireland Ltd and IFA/Motorola Consortium. 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, subject to agreement with the chosen candidate.

Additionally, my Department has prepared a Draft Policy Paper on Next Generation Broadband. The Paper reviews current communications infrastructure policy and analyses policy options in light of industry developments in relation to the optimum role for the Government in the planning and roll out of next generation broadband. Next Generation Broadband networks will be fundamental to meeting the challenges of knowledge based economies.

Two weeks ago I convened a meeting of the expert International Advisory Forum to examine the Paper. The Forum critiqued draft options and recommendations on how to meet the challenges that lie ahead. The key challenge is getting higher speed broadband at lower cost to more subscribers. The Forum members have provided valuable feedback. They supported the broad trust of the document. They offered some additional recommendations and advice on the future trends of the telecommunications and ICT industries and proposed that certain suggestions be explored further. The draft paper is currently being updated to reflect the Forum's contribution. It will then be published for public consultation.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 276: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which he has had discussions with the communications industry with a view to the provision of state-of-the-art technology throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10983/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 279: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the outcome and level of discussion he has had with the regulator with a view to improving the standard and availability of information telecommunications throughout the country, comparable with the rest of Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10986/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 276 and 279 together.

Responsibility for the provision of electronic communications services is a matter for the service providers concerned. Statutory responsibility for the regulation of telecommunications operators, including regulatory issues surrounding the quality of services rests with the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), which acts independently in its function. I have overall responsibility for communications policy and regularly meet with ComReg and service providers.