David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 67: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress being made with regard to making broadband available to all households; if his attention has been drawn to the much higher tariffs being paid by some households in rural areas for broadband services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37390/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The electronic communications market is, and has been since its liberalisation, a commercial competitive market. Thus, the provision of services, including broadband, is a matter for those private sector service providers, regulated by the independent regulator, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). The Government only intervenes in cases of market failure. Between the significant private and public sector investments over recent years all areas of the country now have access to at least a basic broadband service.

The Government accepts that the widespread availability of next generation broadband is a key requirement in delivering future economic and social development.

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.

In June of this year I established the Next Generation Broadband Taskforce, which I chair and which also comprises 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 Taskforce is to discuss the optimal policy environment required to facilitate the investment in and provision of high speed broadband across Ireland. The Taskforce is scheduled to complete its work in December next and I hope to be in a position to bring forward proposals to Government in early 2012 aimed at ensuring the timely investment in next generation broadband networks.

I understand the Deputy's reference to higher rural tariffs relates to instances where an individual accesses the Internet via a satellite connection. Satellite Internet connectivity is a feature in some rural areas and reflects the difficulty of connecting some rural premises by other means.

Because of the technology involved satellite internet connectivity has tended to be more expensive than connectivity via cable or DSL. Satellite bandwidth is also considerably more expensive than other technology platforms.

However, with technological advances I am pleased to note that tariffs for satellite connectivity are falling, and are becoming increasingly competitive with other technologies.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 68: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which the requirement in terms of investment in communications technology such as broadband and mobile phone telephony is sufficient to meet current and future requirements; if a particular strategy is required on a national or regional basis in this respect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37378/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The telecommunications market in Ireland has been fully liberalised since 1999 and, since then, has seen the steady growth and development of strong well-regulated competition in the provision of the full range of telecommunications products and services which are broadly capable of meeting the current needs of telecommunications customers.

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 Taskforce which I convened earlier this year, has an important role to play in this regard.

The Taskforce, which I chair, also comprises Minister of State, Fergus O'Dowd, T.D., the CEOs of all of the major telecommunications companies operating in the Irish market, as well as CEOs of some other companies that provide broadband services. The purpose of the Taskforce is to discuss and report on policy issues and proposals in relation to provision of high speed broadband across Ireland.

The Taskforce, and four Working Groups reporting to it, are considering issues such as appropriate targets, spectrum policy, private sector investment plans, and the removal of barriers (for example local authority way leave processes) in order to facilitate investment. I expect that the Taskforce will help to identify how best to deliver wider customer access to high-speed broadband generally and thereby assist in delivering on the commitment in the Programme for Government.

The Taskforce, which had a further meeting yesterday, will conclude its deliberations shortly. It is my intention to consider the findings, conclusions and recommendations of the report of the Taskforce and to make a submission to Government in this regard. It is my objective to move quickly thereafter to put in place the optimal policy environment for the delivery of high speed broadband.