Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 Nov 2001

Vol. 545 No. 2

Written Answers. - Telecommunications Services.

John McGuinness

Question:

72 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if a report or audit is available to show the infrastructure which has been established by the private sector in relation to broadband technology by companies who availed of EU or Government grants; if that infrastructure is fully commissioned and in use by companies or communities in the regions; and if not, the reason therefore her views on the situation in Kilkenny city; the level of funding which was made available, and the type of infrastructure which was provided; and if it is being fully used. [30079/01]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

Provision of broadband and telecommunications services is, in the first instance, the role of the private sector. I introduced support to private rollout of broadband services in 1999 with an allocation of 26 million – £21 million. This supported 13 separate projects aimed at rolling out broadband. Most of these projects are complete or nearing completion and are subject to technical and financial audit. In certain cases, where construction is complete, companies are beginning to offer services. It is my intention to make available all technical details concerning these projects early next year when the construction period is complete.

One of these projects involved hybrid fibre co-axial cable upgrades and digital MMDS upgrades in Clonmel and Kilkenny, to be carried out by Suir Nore Relays, now Chorus. The total grant allocated to this project is 2 million – £1.6 million. Technical reviews of this project indicate that most physical infrastructure is in place, telephone customers are availing of services and data services are being tested. Chorus has been paid 20% of the total grant. Final payments will be made and performance bonds released upon final project completion and offerings of data service.

John McGuinness

Question:

73 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Enterprise her views on the cost of access to the internet and the fact that the main service provider and owner of the infrastructure is doing little to improve the situation; her views on whether this is an impediment to the development of e-commerce and e-government; and the progress on the unbundling of the local loop. [30080/01]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

The pricing of access to facilities of the main service provider and infrastructure owner is subject to the regulatory framework operated by the Office of the Director of Telecommunications Regulation, ODTR. I have no function in this matter. My Department's policy is to facilitate the rollout of state-of-the-art infrastructures and to provide the legislative and regulatory environment which will serve to make a major contribution to sustained macro-economic growth and the realisation of competitively priced, high quality services. With regard to progress on the unbundling of the local loop, the current position is that a regime has been put in place by the ODTR. Negotiations are taking place between operators with the assistance of the ODTR.