Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 20 Jun 2000

Vol. 521 No. 4

Written Answers. - Global Crossing Network.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

31 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if her attention has been drawn to the proposal from Cork Chamber of Commerce to establish the first regional broadband hub which could provide a secondary designation point of interconnection to the Global Crossing network; her views on the fact that strategically a second and secondary hub should be located outside the capital; her further views on the fact that Cork is the obvious location for the second point of interconnection; and when a decision will be made in this regard. [17241/00]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

The designation of the second point of interconnection to the Global Crossing network is a matter, subject to contract, in the first instance for Global Crossing. I understand a decision on the location of that point of interconnection is due in the coming weeks. I also understand that Cork Chamber of Commerce has made its case to Global Crossing. A copy of the cham ber's broadband hub proposal has been received in my department in the last two weeks.

An official from my Department has recently had a very useful and informative meeting with the Cork Chamber of Commerce and Global Crossing on this issue. My Department is supportive of the concept of regionalizing the points of interconnection to the Global Crossing network.