Vol. 545 No. 1
120 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise her views on the need to set up a new semi-State organisation responsible for the roll-out and management of the telecommunications and broadband infrastructure here. [28610/01]
The market for telecommunications was liberalised in 1998 and there are no plans to set up a new semi-State organisation responsible for the roll-out and management of telecommunications and broadband infrastructure. The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband services, is a matter in the first instance for the companies who now operate in the fully liberalised market. My responsibility is for public policy in the sector within which these companies operate.
I have, in recent years, put in place a number of initiatives which seek to address certain gaps in communications infrastructure in Ireland, particularly by bringing broadband connectivity to regional and rural areas. Under the National Development Plan, 1994-1999, 26 million or £21 million was made available to support the roll-out of broadband to the regions. This figure has been significantly increased under the National Development Plan, 2000-2006, to 200 million or £157 million.
Question No. 121 answered with Question No. 54.
