Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 173: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which he expects broadband quality, speed and availability to become available here in line with the highest standards applicable and available throughout the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24330/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The role of the Government in the electronic communications market in Ireland is to formulate policy to facilitate the provision of high quality services by competing service providers.

The widespread provision of broadband services continues to be a priority for the Government. In that regard my Department has undertaken a variety of initiatives to address the gaps in broadband coverage. These initiatives have helped to facilitate the development of the market. According to the latest Central Statistics Office report 'Information Society and Telecommunications 2008' published in May 2009, 62% of Irish households and 83% of SMEs now have a broadband connection. Ireland also has more residential and SME subscriptions in the higher speed category i.e. 2-10 Mbps than in the lower speed category of up to 2 Mbps.

The latest OECD report, which includes data up to December 2008, is also testament to the considerable improvement of recent years. It shows that Ireland is ranked 9th out of 30 countries in year on year broadband growth. With similar fast uptake of broadband noted in previous reports, Ireland has closed the gap on the OECD average with our improvement over the past 2 years. Additionally, it should be noted that mobile broadband, which is very popular with Irish broadband subscribers, is not yet published for the purposes of international statistical comparisons. However, mobile broadband statistics are expected to be published by the OECD in the future reports. The publication of mobile broadband statistics is expected to improve Ireland's ranking further.

There are still some parts of the country where the private sector cannot justify the commercial provision of broadband services. Accordingly, my Department has undertaken to implement the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) and has entered into a contract with "3", a Hutchison Whampoa company, for the delivery of the NBS. 3 will be required to provide services to all residences and businesses that are within the NBS area and who seek a service. Services were rolled out in some rural areas at the end of April 2009 and the entire NBS area will be served by September 2010.

Internationally, electronic communications markets are moving to provide next generation broadband in order to deliver greater quality, speed and service to consumers. This is happening where there is strong competition and incentives to innovate. The policy framework for future broadband development in Ireland is set out in the consultation paper on Next Generation Broadband, which I published last July. The consultation period on the paper has now concluded and I will publish the final policy paper shortly.