Paul Kehoe
Ceist:351 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the counties in which there is no decision regarding the roll-out of broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22338/03]
Vol. 571 No. 4
351 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the counties in which there is no decision regarding the roll-out of broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22338/03]
365 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position in regard to broadband technology development here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22405/03]
366 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the steps he proposes to take to restore Ireland to a commanding position in the telecommunications industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22406/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 351, 365 and 366 together.
The provision of communications infrastructure and services is a matter for the private sector companies that operate in the fully liberalised telecommunications market, with reference to the direction and supervision of the Commission for Communications Regulation.
To accelerate the delivery of faster and cheaper communications services throughout the country by the private sector, my Department has run a number of programmes of targeted intervention in recent years. These programmes have been designed following consultation and support from the various development agencies: IDA, Enterprise Ireland, Shannon Development and Údarás na Gaeltachta.
There are a number of technological platforms for delivery of broadband including fibre, cable, satellite, digital subscriber lines and wireless, including wireless local area networks. Whilst in the main it could be expected that private sector investment would lead to the deployment of these platforms throughout Ireland, the Government recognises that due to a downturn in the telecommunications sector in recent years, private sector companies may have difficulty in funding the major infrastructure developments that are needed for broadband delivery.