Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 217: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will maximise the revenue to the State through an analogue spectrum auction in the context of the recent comments on this matter in the McCarthy report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10244/11]

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 218: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources following the McCarthy Report's investigation into all aspects of Irish spectrum licensing and availability, if he will produce plans to maximise revenue to the State by any further measures whether a spectrum auction or otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10245/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 217 and 218 together.

The management of the radio spectrum is a statutory function of ComReg under the Communications Regulations Act 2002. In accordance with this function and with its obligations under EU law, ComReg designs and manages the spectrum assignment process bearing in mind its overarching objective of promoting competition in the market and protecting the interests of consumers.

ComReg has recently engaged in consultations on the proposed assignment of spectrum in the 800/900 MHz and 1800 MHz by means of a competitive auction. Based on expert independent advice, it has set a reserve price for the spectrum at a level that reflects the market value of the spectrum and has set a cap on the amount of spectrum that any one operator may bid for, in order to allow new operators to bid for the spectrum and thus increase the level of competition in the market. As the McCarthy Report states, the policy issues surrounding the granting of such licences, permits or rights extend, in some cases, beyond the narrow one of realising maximum market value. In this case, the opening up of the market to new operators resulting in more competitive prices and choice of services for the consumer is of paramount importance in meeting ComReg's overarching objective.

ComReg is independent in the exercise of this spectrum management function and I await the outcome of its deliberations in relation to this matter.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 219: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the process involved in implementing a new national broadband scheme for areas outside the current scheme; the stage the process is currently at; the length of time the process will take to complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10263/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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It continues to be a priority of the Government that there will be broadband coverage across the entire country. I am aware that despite public and private investment, there continues to be a small percentage of premises throughout the country that are not currently capable of receiving broadband services. This is primarily due to technical and other reasons (suitability of a telephone line, distance from an enabled exchange, no line of sight etc.).

The European Commission has set aside a portion of the European Economic Recovery Programme (EERP) funding for rural broadband initiatives. Using this funding, which will be augmented by an Exchequer contribution, I have earlier this week formally launched a Rural Broadband Scheme. This scheme aims to identify the remaining individual premises in rural Ireland, outside of the NBS areas that are unable to obtain a broadband service and to provide a basic broadband service to those premises, where requested. Information in relation to acceptance of applications and the process of qualification under the scheme is available on my Department's website (www.dcenr.ie), through contacting my Department on lo-call 1850 678100 and through a wide range of outlets associated with Regional and Local Authorities. Information on the Scheme has also been sent to all provincial newspapers.

Nicky McFadden (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 220: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the availability of broadband in an area (details supplied). [10333/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The provision of broadband services is, in the first instance, a matter for private sector service providers operating in Ireland's fully liberalised telecommunications market. Broadband services are provided by private service providers over various platforms including DSL (i.e. over telephone lines), fixed wireless, mobile, cable, fibre and satellite.

Details of broadband services available in each county can be found on ComReg's website at www.callcosts.ie .

In cases of market failure the Government will intervene, where it is appropriate and possible to do so. The National Broadband Scheme (NBS) represents such an intervention.

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.

I am pleased to say that broadband is now available under the NBS in all designated Electoral Divisions (EDs) in the NBS Coverage Area, including the designated EDs in the Longford Westmeath area.

It continues to be a priority of the Government that there will be broadband coverage across the entire country. I am aware that there continues to be a small percentage of premises throughout the country that are not currently capable of receiving broadband services. This is primarily due to technical and other reasons (suitability of a telephone line, distance from an enabled exchange, no line of sight etc.). The European Commission has set aside a portion of the European Economic Recovery Programme (EERP) funding for rural broadband initiatives. Using this funding, which will be augmented by an Exchequer contribution, I have earlier this week formally launched a Rural Broadband Scheme. This scheme aims to identify the remaining individual premises in rural Ireland, outside of the NBS areas that are unable to obtain a broadband service and to provide a basic broadband service to those premises, where requested.

Information in relation to acceptance of applications and the process of qualification under the scheme is available on my Department's website (www.dcenr.ie ), through contacting my Department on lo-call 1850 678100 and through a wide range of outlets associated with Regional and Local Authorities. Information on the Scheme has also been sent to all provincial newspapers.