Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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183. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the degree to which he and his Department continue to evaluate the various forms of communication, including An Post, mobile telephone services and broadband, with a view to identifying the maximum benefit achievable in each case through the provision of modern and competitive services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4175/15]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The provision of electronic communications and postal services occur within fully liberalised markets, regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) which is independent in the exercise of its functions. ComReg has imposed universal services obligations on eircom and An Post to ensure universal public access to basic electronic communications and postal services at averaged retail prices across the State.

The provision of additional or higher value services within these competitive markets is a matter for the competing service providers in the first instance. Electronic communication service providers are currently investing approximately €2.5bn in upgrading and modernising networks which support the provision of fixed line high speed broadband services, and the rollout of 3G and 4G mobile services. These investments will further improve the coverage and quality of electronic communications throughout the country.

As Minister for Communications, one of my key objectives is to ensure that Ireland is best placed to avail of the emerging opportunities provided by the commercial electronic communications sector through the promotion of investment in state of the art infrastructure and the provision of a supportive legislative and regulatory environment. While investment in communications infrastructure and services is primarily a matter for the private sector, Government recognises that it has a role in evaluating how the market is performing and in ensuring that barriers to investment are removed where possible. The National Broadband Plan commits to a range of actions that will facilitate the more efficient investment in the rollout of communications infrastructure and ensuring that every citizen and business, regardless of location, has access to a high quality, high speed broadband service through a combination of commercial investment and a state-led intervention.

In the postal market, following a review under the auspices of the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy, a Post Office Network Business Development Group has been established to explore the potential opportunities for new Government and commercial business for the post office network, it is anticipated that the group will produce a report this Summer.