Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 411: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the action he has taken or proposes to take to ensure that the communications industry here is at least up to the standards available throughout Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37577/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The provision of telecommunications services including broadband and mobile telephony are, in the first instance, a matter for the private sector. The relevant 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 of high quality telecommunications services, by competing private sector service providers. The widespread provision of telecommunications services continues to be a major priority for the Government.

Statutory responsibility for the regulation of the electronic communications sector, including regulatory issues surrounding competition and quality of services is the responsibility of the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) in accordance with the requirements of the Communications Regulation Act 2002 and the Regulations which transpose the EU Regulatory Framework for Electronic Communications.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 412: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his proposals to encourage the improvement of the telecommunication sectors with particular reference to access and quality of broadband and mobile telephony; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37578/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The provision of telecommunications services including broadband and mobile telephony are, in the first instance, a matter for the private sector. The relevant 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 of high quality telecommunications services, by competing private sector service providers.

The widespread provision of telecommunications services continues to be a major priority for the Government. In that regard my Department has undertaken initiatives to address the gaps in broadband coverage. These included providing grant-aid under the now concluded Group Broadband Scheme and ongoing 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. In this regard my Department has undertaken to implement that National Broadband Scheme (NBS). The NBS is designed to deliver broadband to areas where the market has failed to provide services. It will bridge the digital divide, create greater equality in terms of social and economic inclusion and remove the disadvantage caused by a lack of broadband services. It will also facilitate competition in the broadband market in the regions leading to greater choice, quality and value for money to the consumer.

Two bids from eircom Ltd and Hutchison 3G Ireland have been received in response to the NBS Invitation to Tender. These bids are currently being evaluated and the evaluation process is scheduled for completion shortly. The contract is expected to be signed in November 2008. As regards mobile telephony, the penetration rate in Ireland currently stands at 120%. I have no reasons or plans to intervene in the existing competitive and healthy market.