Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 168: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the methods he will use to satisfy himself that the upload, download and latency standards described by himself and the national broadband scheme contractors (details supplied) are being met; the moneys committed by him in 2009 and separately in 2010 for this purpose; the competent independent assessment body which will be used to ascertain the actual performance on the NBS service; the date by which he will publish a report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12606/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Under the terms of the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) contract, 3 Ireland has committed to defined service standards with respect to retail product speeds and contention ratio, customer interface, wholesale service, reporting and marketing. My Department, with the assistance of independent technical consultants, Analysis Mason Ltd, will actively monitor performance of the infrastructure, service availability, service delivery and customer experience as well as overall compliance with contractual obligations by 3 Ireland on a monthly basis throughout the contract term.

Monitoring activities will involve random testing to assess and monitor the availability and coverage of the services in the NBS coverage areas. Upgrades of the network and its capacity are automatically triggered at contractually agreed levels of traffic to ensure that the quality of the broadband service is maintained and enhanced over the period of the contract. 3 Ireland is obliged to address any issues arising and the NBS contract imposes a service credit regime on 3 Ireland with significant consequences in the event of proven failure to meet the contractually binding service standards.

The overall cost of technical, financial and commercial advisory services to support my Department in relation to the implementation and monitoring of the NBS contract over a 28 month period is expected to amount to €399,250 (exclusive of VAT), of which amounts of €175,000 and €80,000 are foreseen to be paid in 2009 and 2010 respectively. I do not propose to publish a report on performance by 3 Ireland under the NBS contract and no such report is provided for under the terms of the contract.

Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Question 169: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason broadband is not available to persons (details supplied) in County Tipperary; when it will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12616/09]

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. Broadband services are available from competing service providers over multiple platforms, including DSL (telephone lines), cable, fixed wireless, mobile and satellite. I understand that broadband is available in Templemore, County Tipperary, from DSL, mobile and satellite service providers.

Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Question 170: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason broadband is not available to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; when it will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12617/09]

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. Broadband services are available from competing service providers over multiple platforms, including DSL (telephone lines), cable, fixed wireless, mobile and satellite. I understand that broadband is available in Borrisoleigh, County Tipperary from DSL, wireless and satellite service providers.