Vol. 550 No. 4
191 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the position regarding the second call for proposals in relation to telecommunications; if contracts have now been signed and if so, with whom; and if not, the timeframe in this regard. [9105/02]
Some 31 submissions were received under the second call for proposals on the 19 October 2002. These submissions were independently evaluated and the results of evaluation were finalised at the beginning of this year.
On foot of the evaluation a number of local authorities have been asked to enter procurement to establish firm prices for their proposals. Once procurement is completed, and subject to satisfactory pricing, contracts will be offered for these projects. It is anticipated that this will take place over the next two months. These proposals involve the construction of metro area fibre optic networks in 19 towns around the country. Networks in other towns are under discussion with the relevant local authorities.
A number of private sector tenders received in response to the call for proposals are being clarified and may be offered contracts in the coming weeks. Arising from the Government strategy which I announced on 8 March 2001 a second phase of 48 additional towns will be pursued through a public private partnership model.
192 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if her attention has been drawn to the urgent need to provide high speed Internet access to the Cavan-Monaghan area; if the proposals submitted for Cavan-Monaghan and Dundalk for inclusion under phase 1 of the regional broadband programme will be approved without delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9255/02]
The e-commerce measure of the National Development Plan 2000-06 is a scheme I have put in place to address issues of regional Internet access, especially in the Border, midlands and west region. Projects funded under the first call for proposals will bring additional services to the Cavan-Monaghan area. Details of these proposals are available on the Internet at www.ndpcomms.gov.ie.
