Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 22: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is considering any new measures to address the ongoing difficulties and high costs being imposed on Irish mobile telephone users because of mobile termination charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12632/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The regulation of the wholesale mobile voice call termination market is a matter for the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). I am anxious to ensure that mobile termination rates (MTRs) charged by Irish service providers are in line with those charged elsewhere in Europe and that Irish citizens and businesses benefit from the lowest call costs possible.

The Irish average mobile termination charge has reduced from 8.03 cent per minute as of 1 July 2010 to approximately 4.3 cent per minute as of 31 December 2011, representing a 46% cumulative reduction over that period. The current mobile termination charge of approximately 4.3 cent per minute is in line with the European average. Mobile termination charges will see further reductions from 30 June 2012. ComReg has commenced a consultation process to determine future mobile termination charges in Ireland and a final decision is due in 2012. This will determine mobile termination charges from January 2013.

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 23: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the geographic gaps in which small and medium enterprises cannot properly access broadband; and if he will identify the way that this will affect these SMEs' ability to engage with cloud computing. [11313/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Ireland's telecommunications market has been open to competition since 1999 and since then has developed into a well-regulated market supporting a multiplicity of commercial operators providing services over a diverse range of technology platforms. Despite the current economic difficulties, significant private sector investment continues to be made in the provision of broadband products and services.

The State is not a provider of services, except in instances of clear market failure such as in the cases of both the National and Rural Broadband Schemes. Such interventions are always subject to EU State Aid clearance to ensure no unacceptable level of market distortion takes place. Between these private and public investments, at least a basic broadband service is now available right throughout the country including to SMEs. Details of broadband services available on a county-by-county basis can be found on ComReg's website at www.callcosts.ie. The combination of private investment and State interventions means that Ireland will meet the EU Commission's "Digital Agenda for Europe" target of having a basic broadband service available to all areas by 2013.

The Government accepts that the widespread availability of high speed broadband is a key requirement in delivering future economic and social development. It will also be a key enabler for SMEs who wish to engage with cloud computing, or to expand their business by transacting online. The Next Generation Broadband Taskforce which I convened last summer has an important role to play in this regard. It comprises 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.

I expect that the Taskforce will help to identify how best to deliver wider customer access to high-speed broadband generally. The Taskforce will conclude its deliberations shortly. It is my intention to consider the findings, conclusions and recommendations of the report of the Taskforce and to move quickly thereafter to put in place the optimal policy environment for the delivery of high speed broadband.