Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 42: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position in regard to the establishment of a one-stop-shop to improve the provision of broadband infrastructure here; and the delay in setting up this new structure to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43292/09]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 56: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the call from the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators for a one-stop-shop for the communications market here; the position regarding the establishment of a one-stop-shop to provide service providers with open access to existing ducting infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43365/09]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 61: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when he plans to instruct ComReg to allow open access to all publicly and privately owned infrastructure. [43275/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 42, 56 and 61 together.

The establishment of a "one-stop-shop" is one of the commitments contained in the Next Generation Broadband policy paper "Gateway to a Knowledge Ireland", which I published in June this year.

The key objective of the "one-stop-shop" concept is to facilitate telecoms operators in gaining access to ducting assets in State owned networks, thereby ensuring optimal use of State assets and facilitating more cost-effective roll out of broadband. The context to the proposal is the anticipated increase in demand for high speed broadband. This can be facilitated by the installation of fibre in State owned ducting.

The actual implementation of the "one-stop-shop" is a complex process involving engagement with a range of State Bodies who own the assets and also consideration of the best operational model to implement the concept. My Department has had internal engagement with the relevant State Bodies who are generally supportive of the proposal.

On foot of this engagement my Department has undertaken a review of State owned networks to determine the routes of infrastructure such as roads, electricity, gas and rail. A more detailed audit of the infrastructure in these networks will now be necessary in order to provide telecoms operators with the type of information they require to inform commercial decisions on broadband rollout.

It is my intention to establish an Implementation Task Force chaired by my Department and comprising senior officials from the relevant State agencies who own ducting infrastructure to oversee the project.

It is necessary, in advancing the concept of a co-ordinated service for telcos, to ensure that any arrangements will not impose net additional costs on them and will provide added value. We will also consider possible impacts on both private sector telcos and State companies with a telco arm to ensure that the introduction of the "one-stop-shop" supports a competitive market but does not create undue market distortions.

It is also important, in terms of future-proofing, to understand what alternative options telcos may have to the "one-stop-shop" concept and what impact regulatory changes may have on these over time. There are complex commercial, legal and technical issues, which my Department is progressing as quickly as possible.

To assist implementation of access to State ducting, I intend to amend Part V of the Communications (Regulation) Act 2002 relating to carrying out communications work on public roads.

These proposed amendments will provide a framework for the National Roads Authority to make ducts on national roads and motorways accessible to telecommunication companies.

It is intended that these amendments will be introduced in the Report Stage in the Dáil of the Premium Rate Services Bill 2009, which is scheduled for early next month. My Department will also advance urgently consideration of all the other issues which will impact on implementation of the "one-stop-shop". This includes the appropriate operational model. It is my intention that the "one-stop-shop" will be in place in 2010.