Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 20 Nov 2001

Vol. 544 No. 3

Written Answers. - Telecommunications Services.

Jackie Healy-Rae

Question:

207 Mr. Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the steps she has taken to improve the service of radio, phone and television in the black valley area in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28569/01]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke):

Under the Voice Telephony and Universal Service Regulations, 1999, Eircom has been designated by the Director of Telecommunications Regulation to meet all reasonable requests for connection to the fixed public telephone network at a fixed location, for access to fixed public telephone services and to supply such services at an affordable price within the geographic area identified by the director. A basic phone connection enables normal speed dial-up Internet access.

Under the National Development Plan, 2000-2006, the figure allocated to telecommunications initiatives has been increased significantly to 200 million, £157.5 million. A first call for proposals was run last year and on foot of submissions received, my Department entered nine contracts at the beginning of the year, which will result in additional investment in regional broadband infrastructure. A second call for proposals has been run with a number of applications received on 19 October last. These projects will be evaluated in the coming months.

The rollout of radio is a matter for individual operators in accordance with the terms of mobile licences. Mobile Internet access will be facilitated by the development of 3G mobile services in Ireland. The conversion from analogue to digital terrestrial television will enable Internet access. However, the provision of television services is a matter for the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands in which I have no function.