Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 240: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the degree to which investment in the telecommunications 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. [38046/10]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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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.

I understand that the industry has invested around €600m per annum over recent years. 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. This policy has facilitated significant progress in rolling out broadband services, over recent years. This progress, measured in international comparisons, is demonstrated in a recent study of broadband services in 72 countries by the University of Oxford and the University of Oviedo, Spain, which concludes the broadband services currently available in Ireland are capable of meeting the requirements of today's broadband applications and overall, in terms of broadband quality and penetration, Ireland ranks 13th of the 72 countries studied.

Direct State investment is aimed at market failure situations – hence initiatives such as the Metropolitan Area Networks Programme and the National Broadband Scheme (NBS), which is aimed at bringing a broadband service to unserved areas. I am pleased to note that under the NBS, broadband is now available in all Electoral Divisions in the NBS coverage areas. Attention is now being focussed on (i) broadband quality and (ii) isolated cases where broadband is not being delivered due to technical or line of sight reasons.

While I am confident that the level of investment activity in the market will continue, I am keen to facilitate collaborative approaches to investment that would maximise impact without compromising competitive market principles. To that end, the Next Generation Broadband (NGB) Taskforce, which I signalled in my June 2009 policy paper, will be established and meet in the coming weeks. The NGB Taskforce will focus on how possible collaborative approaches to investment coupled with the existing policy environment and regulatory regime, could give rise to higher quality broadband.