Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 60: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views regarding the submission by a group (details supplied) that Eircom should be acquired by the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10530/09]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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The acquisition by the State of eircom is not under consideration.

Government policy is to facilitate the provision of high quality telecommunications services by competing private sector providers and, where market failure has occurred, the Government has intervened such as in the case of the provision of broadband infrastructure in the regions and the National Broadband Scheme (NBS).

Ireland now has a vibrant broadband market with over 40 service providers offering retail services across a range of technology platforms at increasingly fast speeds.

In addition the NBS will bring broadband to those parts of the country where a commercial service cannot be provided. This will result in broadband's being available throughout the country.