Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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547. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the process by which he oversees the metropolitan area networks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50189/18]

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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548. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the details of all reports commissioned by or completed by his Department regarding the metropolitan area networks; the author of each report; if the report is public; if not, the rationale in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50190/18]

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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549. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if following the submission of quarterly reports regarding the metropolitan area networks, meetings take place between representatives of his Department and a company (details supplied); the dates of these meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50191/18]

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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550. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a number of external consultants reports were commissioned regarding the extension of the MANs concession agreement; the rationale for commissioning each individual report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50192/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 547 to 550, inclusive, together.

The Management Services Entity (MSE) for the Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) is contractually obliged to manage, maintain, operate and market the MANs on behalf of the State.

There are a number of provisions in the Concession Agreements to ensure that the MSE complies with these obligations.

The MSE submits Quarterly Reports on Key Performance Indicators of the MANs, maintenance of MANs network, Revenues, Costs etc.  There are also Quarterly Liaison Committee meetings which representatives from enet, officials from my Department and a representative from the local authorities attend. Any items arising from the Quarterly Reports are discussed at the Liaison Committee Meetings or followed up separately as the need arises.

Under the provisions of the Concession Agreements, the Department is free to carry out audits on any part of the MSE’s functions. The Department carried out a review of the MANs in 2015 and engaged with a number of telecoms operators who use the MANs.  More recently, the Department engaged Analysys Mason Consultants to carry out a review of pricing and access arrangements for the MANs. 

The following table shows the reports completed in relation to the Metropolitan Area Networks. Norcontel was the only external consultant engaged to advise on extending or retendering the MSE I and MSE II Concession Agreements.