Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 612: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the provision of broadband to an area (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15827/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The enabling of exchanges for broadband purposes is a matter for the owners of the relevant exchanges. It is hoped that the facilitation of greater competition in the sector via the introduction of broadband from different technology platforms, will encourage more rapid enabling of all exchanges for broadband.

While an area may not be served by fixed landline broadband, otherwise known as Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) or broadband over telephone lines, broadband services are available from competing service providers over multiple platforms including cable, fixed wireless, satellite and mobile. I understand that Tullybrack, County Clare already has broadband on offer from a number of service providers as detailed in the list below.

As the general area of Tullybrack, County Clare is located in a currently served area it will not be addressed by the National Broadband Scheme (NBS). In this regard EU State Aid and competition rules govern how States can intervene in areas where there are existing service providers. Accordingly, the NBS (which was approved by the EU Commission) is prohibited from providing a service in served areas where to do so would give rise to an unacceptable level of market distortion.