Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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242. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will continue to be the lead Minister with responsibility for all areas within his current communications portfolio, including the post office network and the roll-out of the national broadband plan, when the new rural affairs Ministry is operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12441/16]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The corporate governance of An Post will remain with my Department. The implementation of the Final Report of the Post Office Network Business Development Group will be managed by the Department of Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht.  The operational details in this regard are currently being worked out between both Departments.

My Department will continue to be responsible for the existing Communications portfolio. In addition, my Department will retain responsibility for the procurement process for the National Broadband Plan.  I am in discussion with Minister Humphreys on the detailed arrangements to give effect to commitments in the Programme for a Partnership Government regarding her Department’s role in relation to the roll-out phase of the National Broadband Plan. That role will include leading on the establishment of county or regional broadband task forces and working with Local Authorities, Local Enterprise Offices, LEADER Groups and other relevant agencies to help accelerate the broadband network build in rural Ireland, once a contract(s) has been awarded.