Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 11 Jun 2003

Vol. 568 No. 2

Written Answers. - Telecommunications Services.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

180 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he is satisfied about the adequacy of current investment in the telecommunications industry with particular reference to the need to compete effectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16192/03]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. D. Ahern)

In our liberalised telecommunications market, it is primarily a matter for the private sector operators to invest in the appropriate infrastructure and services. In terms of investment, the role of my Department is to address priority areas where the private sector alone will not deliver the necessary infrastructure within the time scale necessary to critical national development objectives. Nonetheless, I am conscious of the impact on competitiveness for Ireland and its businesses of modern communications infrastructure in attracting and retaining foreign direct investment in Ireland.

Under the National Development Plan 2000-06, provision has been made for significant investment in telecommunications infrastructure. This funding is being used and will be used by my Department to run programmes of targeted intervention to accelerate the delivery of faster and cheaper communications services by the private sector throughout the country.

A first call for proposals was run in 2000 and, on foot of submissions received, nine contracts were signed at the beginning of 2001, which will result in additional investment in the regions in broadband infrastructure and increased availability of broadband services for business and residential users. Projects funded under this call include the construction of a new national fibre backbone by ESB Telecom and accelerating Esat BT's rollout of DSL in 40 locations. The second call for proposals resulted in the regional broadband programme, which is my Department's most ambitious telecommunications project to date. The objective of this programme is to foster real competition among service providers on the basis of price and service, through the provision of open access to broadband infrastructure, constructed in 19 towns around the country. The regional broadband programme involves an investment by my Department of over €65 million and it is expected that all networks will be fully complete and operational by July 2004.