Cecilia Keaveney
Ceist:98 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Public Enterprise her views in relation to recommendation 1.3.7 of the Donegal task force initiative report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23081/99]
Vol. 510 No. 5
98 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Public Enterprise her views in relation to recommendation 1.3.7 of the Donegal task force initiative report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23081/99]
I refer the Deputy to my reply of 5 October last in which I outlined my response to the many recommendations contained in the report.
Work is progressing on three co-funded telecommunications projects being undertaken by Eircom and Esat Telecom in Donegal. These projects will support the development of advanced communications networks and services in the county.
Esat Telecom will roll-out fibre optic cable in ten urban areas in the State, including Letterkenny. Eircom will install a 95 kilometre high capacity fibre optic cable along the west coast of Donegal, from Bunbeg to Donegal town and from Dunfanaghy to Falcarragh serving all communities – up to 71,000 people – along the route. Eircom will also upgrade communications infrastructure links from Moville by installing 20 kilometres of fibre optic cable and associated equipment from Quigley's point to Moville, thus making Moville a broadband access node. I understand that both companies have signed contracts for these projects and that they must be completed by 31 December 2000.