The provision of telecommunications services is a matter in the first instance for the private companies operating in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation. At present, a basic telephone connection allows normal speed dial-up Internet access in any area. Higher rates of access, such as those provided by digital subscriber lines, wireless, fibre optic or satellite-based systems, are available on the market from a number of telecommunications service providers. A full list of licensed service providers is available from the Commission for Communications Regulation, Irish Life Mall, Lower Abbey Street, Dublin 1, or from the website www.comreg.ieThe main thrust of investment under the communications and e-commerce measure of the NDP 2000-2006 is the creation of metropolitan area fibre optic networks (MANs) initially in 19 towns and cities across the country in association with the local authorities. This will facilitate the provision by private telecommunications companies of a wide variety of advanced services. The 19 towns were selected following a Government decision of 7 March 2002 based on the recommendations of the interdepartmental working group on telecommunications. They are Cork, Limerick, Galway, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Waterford, Dungarvan, Clonmel, Athlone, Mullingar, Portlaoise, Tullamore, Roscommon, Ballina, Letterkenny, Carrick-on-Shannon, Manorhamilton and Gaoth Dobhair. This is the first phase of the strategy and the implementation of phase 2, which includes Monaghan town and Carrickmacross, will be contingent on its successful implementation.
I am currently discussing the acceleration of MANs for Monaghan and Carrickmacross with my colleague, the Minister for Finance. Full details of all of the metropolitan area networks and the MSE are available from my Department's website www.dcmnr.ie/mse
Question No. 131 answered with Question No. 122.
