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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 5 Nov 2002

Vol. 556 No. 3

Written Answers. - Broadband Strategy.

Eamon Ryan

Ceist:

100 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on whether the postponing of the construction of metropolitan broadband local loop networks would be detrimental to the enterprise strategies set out by her Department. [19811/02]

My Department had the opportunity to make input during the formative stages of what was subsequently announced earlier this year as the national broadband strategy. Given the existing operators and plans and the resources available for this field under the national development plan, the phased construction of local loops involved in the strategy, as announced, would clearly support the Department's enterprise strategies. Strategy in this field looks to offering the earliest prospect of maximum Internet connectivity to the greatest number of firms and SMEs in particular in key development centres.

While the national broadband strategy, its implementation and budgets are matters in the first instance for my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, any undue delay, for whatever reason, in the provision of such high-speed always-on Internet connectivity would undoubtedly be unhelpful to future enterprise strategy.
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