Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the way he intends to monitor the progress of the new national broadband plan; if he has contingency plans in the event of difficulties achieving targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43510/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The National Broadband Plan (NBP) is a comprehensive strategy to deliver high speed broadband across Ireland and covers a wide range of policy actions. While the primary focus is directed towards the national mapping exercise that will determine the exact position in relation to existing and planned broadband investment throughout the country, there are also a range of other policy initiatives in the following areas: -

- Publication of a National Digital Strategy aimed at stimulating greater adoption rates (for broadband-internet) among businesses and citizens;

- Reviewing-modernising national radio spectrum policy;

- Clarifying precise role that State-owned assets/infrastructure can play in deployment of broadband services;

- Examination of current regulatory framework to ensure that it can effectively support commercial investment in high speed broadband and,

- Significant review of processes and procedures around planning issues for telecommunications infrastructure (with the main objective of introducing greater consistency at Local Authority level in terms of how planning issues are dealt with and levied).

A High Level Implementation Group, chaired by my Department, is being established to oversee the implementation of the full range of deliverables identified in the NBP. This will include senior representatives from relevant Government Departments and agencies who will be tasked with driving the delivery of actions. This Group will report regularly to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Infrastructure on progress being made.