Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 24: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views regarding the current range of problems facing Eircom in view of the critical national strategic communications infrastructure which the company controls and which needs major national investment in view of the ongoing poor broadband performance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2536/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Eircom is a private company operating in both the fixed line and mobile electronic communications markets in Ireland. The company is trading profitably in its day to day operations. Its current reported difficulties are related to its debt levels which must be addressed and resolved by the parties involved.

Eircom's fixed line network, in particular, is of strategic importance to Ireland, both socially and economically, given its universal reach. It is also designated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) as the Universal Service Provider and has other regulatory obligations arising from its significant market power. Given eircom's designation as the Universal Service Provider and the other regulatory obligations arising from its market power, ComReg continues to monitor its provision of both wholesale and retail services. It would not be appropriate for me to comment in any way on the process currently underway to resolve its reported debt issues.

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Question 25: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the improvement or disimprovements in Ireland's ratings for the availability of high quality broadband since he assumed office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2637/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) publishes quarterly statistical reports on developments in the telecommunications market in Ireland on its website www.comreg.ie . ComReg's most recent publication, for the quarter ending September 2011 (Q3 2011), reports total broadband subscriptions increased to 1.652m compared to 1.624m at end March 2011(Q1 2011).

At the end of both periods residential and business users were more likely to subscribe to packages between 2Mbps - 10Mbps. The number of non-residential customers in this band increased from 87.8% to 88.8% over the six month period. Residential customers are migrating to even higher speeds. This is confirmed by the reported increase in residential customers contracting at speeds above 10 Mbps which increased from 12.1% at end March 2011 to 19.8% at end September 2011. Consequently, ComReg reported a reduction in residential customers contracting in the 2Mbps – 10Mbps band, from 78.9% to 73.2% in the same period. I welcome this continued migration to higher speeds by residential subscribers.

The ComReg report also carries a survey of EU broadband prices conducted by Teligen, an international consultancy that reports on tariffs and services for comparison purposes. The residential DSL and cable basket for all speeds was based on a 1Mbps speed in Q1 2011, which is below the typical contracting speed in Ireland and a direct comparison is not appropriate. In the business DSL and cable basket of speeds between 4Mbps and 10Mbps Ireland ranked 10 in Q1 2011 (i.e. rank 1 has the lowest price, rank 10 was the tenth cheapest) and 17 in Q3 2011. Both of these rankings were cheaper than the benchmarked EU average. It is important to note that broadband retail prices are not subject to retail price regulation.

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 26: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the action that has been taken to guarantee Ireland's international broadband connectivity security; his views on the volume of information flow from Ireland that is processed through London, England; his views that we should seek further connections by fibre cable that bypass the UK and connect directly to the European mainland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2580/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The provision of telecommunications services, including international electronic communication connectivity, is primarily a matter for the private sector, regulated where appropriate by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). A number of existing international telecommunications routes are provided by multiple operators. Other operators are currently exploring the possibility of providing additional connectivity between Ireland and both Europe and the USA.

My officials monitor international connectivity developments and I am advised that the availability and capacity of international connectivity services is more than adequate for foreseeable needs. I would, however, welcome and support any project that enhances Ireland's international connectivity. I am aware of some projects that will add additional capacity over the coming months. I am also aware of other plans, one of which would connect Ireland directly to mainland Europe. International network security is crucially important and I understand that the network providers take all of the necessary precautions to protect their networks.

Question No. 27 answered with Question No. 21.