Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 345: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason an area (details supplied) in County Offaly has not been included in the national broadband scheme; when he anticipates the roll-out of the scheme to this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17751/10]

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

Prior to the commencement of the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) a detailed mapping exercise was carried out to help determine those areas that would be included in the scheme and those who, by virtue of being already substantially served by existing broadband suppliers, were to be excluded.

EU State aid and competition rules govern how states can intervene in areas where there are existing service providers operating. Accordingly, the NBS is prohibited from providing a service in served areas where to do so would give rise to an unacceptable level of market distortion.

The mapping exercise found one broadband supplier already active in the area of Kinnity, County Offaly, and consequently the locality was excluded from the Scheme.