Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 132: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on whether the lack of next generation broadband infrastructure will inhibit our economic competitiveness; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31037/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Broadband infrastructure and telecommunications policy is the primary responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural resources.

This Government is fully aware of the importance of communications infrastructure for our economic competitiveness. The Government is committed to improving our broadband infrastructure and I would like to make the point that substantial progress has been made. There has been significant changes in the Irish market in recent times, including enhanced enforcement powers for ComReg, progress in local loop unbundling, and increased competition in the Irish broadband market.

With a view to our future needs in the domain of telecommunications, the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources released a consultation Paper on Broadband and NGNs on July 3rd 2008. The Paper sets out an ambitious objective to have ubiquitous access to broadband by next year and that by 2012, speeds equivalent to or higher than those in comparator EU regions will be available over a variety of platforms.

As set out in the Consultation Paper the proposed approach of Government is at two levels. Firstly, Next Generation Broadband will be primarily delivered by private investment. The role of Government is to encourage and facilitate this investment across a range of competing technology platforms. To support the necessary investment the Government will ensure a robust regulatory environment is in place. Secondly, Government will invest in infrastructure in a targeted way in specific cases of market failure. It will do so to facilitate public policy goals in key areas, of public service delivery e.g. to make sure we do not see a regional or social Digital Divide develop in our country.

I very much welcome this Consultation Paper and I look forward to the conclusion of the consultation process.