Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 90: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which he can identify precise objectives for the provision of high-speed broadband throughout the entire country without exception; the extent to which precise infrastructural requirements have been identified and costed in this regard; when such targets are likely to be achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30425/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Under the NewERA proposals in the Programme for Government, there is a commitment to co-invest with the private sector and commercial semi-State sector to provide next generation broadband customer access to every home and business in the State. The next generation broadband task force has an important role in this regard. In June of this year I convened the task force which I chair and which also comprises the Minister of State with responsibility for NewERA, Deputy O'Dowd, the CEOs of all of the major telecommunications companies currently operating in the Irish market and the CEOs of some Internet service provider companies. The purpose of the task force, which will conclude its deliberations by the end of this year, is to discuss the optimal policy environment required to facilitate the provision of high speed broadband across Ireland at efficient cost for the long-term benefit of customers.