Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 172: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will investigate the possibility of extending the broadband service network to the Carraroe area of Sligo which is zoned industrial and residential and is in urgent need of this service; if he will seek information from Eircom as to when they will be in a position to enable this broadband service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10167/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Ireland's telecommunications market has been liberalised since 1999 and thus the delivery of broadband services is a matter, in the first instance, for private sector commercial operators who are licensed and regulated by the independent regulator, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). Decisions relating to the provision of broadband services in any particular area are commercial decisions for the commercial service providers. Neither I nor ComReg has statutory power to compel any service provider to offer higher levels of broadband service at any particular location.

Under the NewERA proposals in the Programme for Government, there is a commitment to co-invest with the commercial sector to provide high-speed 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 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.