Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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Question 184: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if fibre-optic cable, lit and unlit, is currently available within County Galway; the owners of this fibre; if it is available to third parties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15980/10]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The State owned Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) Galway city and county and the ESBT owned fibre optic network that passes through the county are available to all services providers on an open access basis. Under Phase I of the MANs programme, my Department, in conjunction with Galway City Council, constructed an open access optical fibre network around Galway city. This network has been managed by e|net since 2005 and offers duct space, dark fibre and managed services to telecommunications service providers. The network is lit and a number of operators are providing services to customers using the MAN.

Under Phase II of the programme a further five MANs were constructed in county Galway in the towns of Athenry, Ballinasloe, Clifden, Gort and Loughrea. These networks were taken in charge by e|net on the 31st August 2009 and are available to service providers.

I understand some service providers also have their own privately constructed optical fibre infrastructure in county Galway, the details of which are a matter for the individual service providers concerned.