James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 409: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the authorisation for the countrywide roll-out of broadband; the reason for the delay in explaining the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33680/08]

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 415: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason for the ongoing delay in the appointment of a contractor for the national broadband scheme; the date for commencement of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33859/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 409 and 415 together.

The Invitation to Tender (ITT) for the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) issued on 25 August 2008. Various complex legal and commercial matters raised by the service providers towards the end of the competitive dialogue process were addressed prior to the issuing of the ITT. The closing date for receipt of tenders was 6 October 2008 and two bids were received from eircom Ltd and Hutchinson 3G Ireland Ltd. The NBS contract is scheduled to be signed early next month, with rollout of the services due to begin as soon as possible thereafter, subject to agreement with the chosen service provider.

All requests for a broadband service in the areas to be addressed by the NBS will be met.

Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 410: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if an application for an Eircom broadband connection has been received from a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; when it was received; and when the person can expect that full broadband service will be made available to enable him to carry out his business efficiently. [33687/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Broadband service providers operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated, where appropriate, by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. I have no role in processing applications for broadband connections owned by private companies and therefore no applications are made to me.

Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 411: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress made on the provision of broadband at Burtonport, County Donegal since April 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33691/08]

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, where appropriate, by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. Broadband services are available from competing service providers over multiple platforms such as DSL (telephone lines), cable, fixed wireless, and increasingly mobile. I understand that the Burtonport area already has broadband on offer from a number of service providers.

The role of the Government is to formulate regulatory and infrastructure policies to facilitate the provision of high quality telecommunications services by competing private sector service providers.

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 Group Broadband Scheme (GBS), investment in Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) and the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) which is designed to deliver broadband to areas where the market has failed to deliver the necessary investment. The NBS contract is scheduled to be signed early next month, with rollout of services due to begin as soon as possible thereafter, subject to agreement with the chosen service provider.