Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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12. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which measures are put in place to ensure adequate investment in the telecommunications sector with particular reference to an accelerated expansion programme for high-speed state of the art broadband; if a determination has been made as to the extent to which this may be achieved in the short and medium term; if efforts have been made to consult with the stakeholders in broadband with a view to ensuring the elimination of communication black spots by the earliest possible date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47310/14]

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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A key objective of this Government is to ensure that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses in Ireland. The National Broadband Plan commits to a range of actions to facilitate and maximise commercial investment in high speed broadband infrastructure. It also commits to a State intervention to make high speed broadband accessible in areas where the commercial sector will not invest.

The commercial telecommunications sector is currently investing approximately €2.5bn in upgrading and modernising electronic communications networks which support the provision of high speed broadband services, among other services.

On the 24 November last, a public consultation on a national high speed coverage map 2016 was launched. The map can be accessed at . The map allows all members of the public to see whether their premises / home will have access to commercial high speed broadband services by end 2016 or whether they will be included in the Government's proposed intervention. The coverage map was produced following an intensive engagement between my Department and industry. The publication of the coverage map and consultation is necessary to ensure that the State intervention does not compete with commercial high speed broadband services, and is required under EU State Aid Guidlines.

The next steps in this process will see a further public consultation on a detailed intervention strategy in mid-2015. A detailed procurement process will be undertaken in order to select a potential preferred bidder(s) towards the end of 2015. In this regard the Department will design a tender in a way that maximises efficiencies and keeps the cost to taxpayers as low as possible. It is expected that the physical build of this network will commence from 2016.

This complex and ambitious project aims to conclusively address current connectivity challenges in rural Ireland.