Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 152: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to provide cutting-edge telecommunications technology in all areas throughout the country, urban and rural; if he has had discussions with interested parties with a view to expanding, extending and improving the service and its availability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6090/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The provision of electronic communications services is, in the first instance, a matter for private sector service providers operating in Ireland's fully liberalised telecommunications market, regulated by the independent regulator, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg).

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 access to every home and business in the State.

The Next Generation Broadband Taskforce, which I convened last summer, 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 the provision of high speed broadband across Ireland.

The Taskforce, and four Working Groups reporting to it, are considering issues such as 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 will conclude its deliberations shortly. I intend 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.