Michael Ring
Ceist:437 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans to locate a point of presence in Swinford to serve the needs of County Mayo; and if funding will be put in place for same. [19775/02]
Vol. 556 No. 3
437 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans to locate a point of presence in Swinford to serve the needs of County Mayo; and if funding will be put in place for same. [19775/02]
The provision of communications services is a matter in the first instance for the companies which operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the independent Director of Telecommunications Regulation. As Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, I am responsible for public policy in the telecommunications sector within which these companies operate.
However, recognising that there are areas of the country that are not as economically attractive for firms to invest in infrastructure and services, I have undertaken a number of initiatives to facilitate the rollout of advanced communications infrastructure which seek to address gaps in communications infrastructure in regional Ireland.