Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 452: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the degree to which investment in the telecoms sector is required to ensure modernisation and upgrading in line with other EU and non-EU competitors; the extent to which provision is made for this now and in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10550/10]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 456: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the degree to which replacement with copper wire has been completed throughout the network to facilitate the provision of higher speed broadband services at all locations throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10554/10]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 452 and 456 together.

Government policy pertaining to the electronic communications market in Ireland is set out in "Next Generation Broadband – Gateway to a Knowledge Ireland", which I published in June 2009. The policy paper was developed in accordance with various key principles, which are crucial to the development of the market. The policy paper sets out the Government's position that investment in broadband infrastructure is primarily a matter for the private sector, facilitated, where appropriate and possible, by Government. ComReg continues to review the level of investment being made by various operators and has a clear role in trying to provide a suitable investment environment especially for next generation networks.

Direct State investment is aimed at market failure situations – hence initiatives such as the Metropolitan Area Networks Programme and, more recently, the National Broadband Scheme which is aimed at bringing a broadband service to unserved areas. We will continue the levels of investment by both the private and public sectors to support the key objective we have in providing a suitable broadband network for the country.