Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 807: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the steps he has taken and will take to implement the innovation task force's key recommendation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14744/10]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The Report of the Innovation Taskforce provides a roadmap for one of the five Action Areas in the Smart Economy Framework and complements the progress which has already been made on other aspects of the strategy. Specifically, it endorses the Government's vision for Ireland as a Global Innovation Hub and suggests that we have the potential to achieve this goal. The Report has made a wide range of recommendations, some involving new initiatives while others call for a reinforcement and better alignment of existing efforts and programmes.

I understand that the Government will shortly announce the establishment of a High Level Implementation Committee to consider and oversee the implementation of the Taskforce's Report. This Committee will reflect the recent changes in Departmental structures and responsibilities which will be supportive in progressing the Taskforce's recommendations. This implementation process will also need to take account of resource and other constraints facing the Government.

Government policy on high speed broadband is set out in "Next Generation Broadband – Gateway to a Knowledge Ireland", which I published in June 2009. The policy paper sets out the Government's position that investment in broadband infrastructure is normally a matter for the private sector, facilitated where appropriate and possible by Government. This approach is consistent with the applicable EU rules regulating the telecommunications sector generally which prioritise commercial investment over direct market intervention in the form of State aid. My Department is progressing a variety of initiatives set out in the policy paper to improve broadband access in the near term. In particular, progress is well advanced on the National Broadband Scheme, which will ensure every part of Ireland is provided with a broadband service by the end of this year.

Mindful of the importance of high speed broadband to innovation and entrepreneurship, I am also keen to facilitate the roll out of next generation networks. The policy and regulatory environments are helpful in this regard and recent announcements by broadband service providers have been encouraging with 24mbps, 30mbps becoming available, in addition to 50mbps already available to residential and business customers of one particular service provider.