Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Question 420: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when persons (details supplied) in County Tipperary will receive full broadband access; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26142/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Responsibility for addressing technical issues with regard to the provision of a broadband service (including split lines, weak lines) is a matter for the private sector which operates in a fully liberalised market, regulated where appropriate, by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg).

Broadband services can be provided over various platforms including DSL (i.e. over telephone lines), fixed wireless, mobile, cable, satellite and fibre by the private sector service providers. I understand that broadband is available in Templemore, County Tipperary, from mobile and satellite service providers in addition to DSL as detailed in the table below. My Department operates a dedicated website www.broadband.gov.ie where potential broadband customers can ascertain the availability of services in their area.

Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Question 421: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary had broadband in their home when they were a customer of a company and can no longer receive their broadband; when this service will be reinstated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26143/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I have no function in the direct provision of broadband services to customers. This is a contractual matter between the service provider and its customer. The provision of electronic communications services including broadband, is primarily a matter for private sector operators. Statutory responsibility for the regulation of telecommunications operators, including complaint resolution surrounding issues of service, rests with the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), which acts independently in the exercise of its functions.

In cases where people have complaints against their service providers, it would be normal that they would in the first instant take the matter up with their service provider. ComReg will normally only deal with complaints from individuals once they have exhausted the complaints procedure with their service providers. In this case ComReg could examine whether the service provider acted appropriately in accordance with regulatory requirements. A list of service providers offering broadband services in any particular location is available at www.broadband.gov.ie.

Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Question 422: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason a person (details supplied) in County Clare cannot receive broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26144/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Broadband services are provided by private sector service providers over various platforms including DSL (i.e. over telephone lines), fixed wireless, mobile, cable, satellite and fibre. I understand that broadband is available in Ballyloughnane, Ogonnelloe, County Clare from fixed wireless, mobile and satellite service providers listed in the table below. My Department operates a dedicated website www.broadband.gov.ie where potential broadband customers can ascertain the availability of services in their area.