Eamon Scanlon (Sligo-North Leitrim, Independent)
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Question 375: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the provision of broadband for the Lecklasser, Ballintrillick areas of County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21397/10]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Neither area cited in the Deputy's Question has been designated for inclusion as part of the National Broadband Scheme (NBS). Prior to the commencement of the NBS a detailed mapping exercise was carried out to help determine those areas that would be included in the scheme and those which, 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. That mapping exercise found a number of broadband suppliers were already active in the areas referred to in the Deputy's Question and consequently the localities were excluded from the Scheme. Details of broadband services available in each county, including county Sligo, can be found on ComReg's website at www.callcosts.ie.