Vol. 574 No. 1
112 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will outline, in regard to his address to the IBEC technology conference, the interventions in the regulatory, infrastructural and legislative fronts he is considering to facilitate the delivery of broadband to all parts of the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26421/03]
While the provision of telecommunications services is a matter in the first instance for the private companies operating in a fully liberalised sector, there is a clear consensus that in cases of market failure or sluggish market response it is perfectly legitimate for Government to intervene. An indicative €200 million, part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, was earmarked for the regions under the National Development Plan 2000-2006 for a programme of broadband infrastructure projects which will facilitate the provision of world-class communications services. Earlier this year, I issued a set of policy directions to the Commission for Communications Regulation in respect of flat rate Internet access. FRIACO, as it is called, was introduced in June 2003. I understand the numbers of those with FRIACO has gone from 0 to somewhere in the region of 30,000. This is a significant number. I am currently conducting a general review of the impact of the policy directions with a view to ascertaining whether further action by way of a new policy direction is needed to further regulatory priorities for the sector.
I intend also to bring forward proposals for new telecommunications legislation to enhance the provisions of the regulatory framework package. I intend this legislation to support and encourage competition, innovation and affordable services, provide protection for quality services to the end user and deal with consumer protection issues in the retail broadcast sector. I intend to bring the legislative proposals forward early next year.
There are many towns around the country in which the provision of broadband should be addressed by the market. The regional broadband deficit is unsustainable and I want to see it addressed in a pro-competition, pro-choice and low-cost fashion. If the market does not address the deficit quickly, I will intervene on the regulatory and legislative front to advance change. I will continue to push the broadband agenda by every means available to me.
Was it not an indictment of the Minister's last 18 months in office that he had to tell the IBEC conference of a whole range of Irish towns which do not have DSL enabled exchanges? Some of them, like Newbridge, Maynooth, Ardee, Mitchelstown, Roscrea, Cobh and, we could add, Blessington and other towns in the Minister's Wexford constituency, are quite large. I have received e-mail after e-mail from citizens who bitterly complain about the lack of broadband facilities in their local areas. The Minister must get twice the amount of e-mails I have received on this subject.
The Deputy should ask a question.
Is it not a terrible indictment that after 18 months, the Minister got up and said that only 2 km. from here people cannot access a broadband connection?
The Minister has referred to legislative proposals. Is it not increasingly embarrassing to find report after report and survey after survey stating the Government's 2002 target of linking 9% of the population to a broadband connection by 2007 is hopelessly unattainable? The latest I have seen was the DotEcon study. Is it not an unbelievable state of affairs that this is allowed to happen? It was the Minister who spoke about a five megabit connection for every citizen. He will be known to history after this Government loses office as "Five Megabits Ahern", the Minister who failed to come remotely close to achieving this goal. Did not the Minister mislead the IBEC conference by stating that nearly 40% of Irish adults had an Internet connection when the real figure is closer to 30% as the Minister and ComReg well know?
The Deputy is wrong about that.
The Minister should be careful. He is in the Dáil.
It is ironic that a Labour Party Deputy is castigating the Government given the fact that the party had no proposals in this regard in the policy document it issued before the last election.
We did actually. That is not true. On a point of information—
The Deputy should allow the Minister to speak. We are running out of time.
The Minister has said this several times.
As usual, Deputy Broughan is full of bluster.
On a point of information—
The Deputy has made his contribution. The Minister to continue.
He did not even know what FRIACO was before I mentioned it.
Deputy Broughan had his opportunity to speak. He will have to find another way to raise the matter.
Deputy Broughan constantly reacts, whereas this Government acts.
The Minister is misleading the House. On a point of information—
We cannot have a debate. The Deputy has a way of dealing with that. He can put down a motion.
I wish to make the matter clear on the record. My party leader—
The Deputy is out of order.
He is entitled to set the record straight.
Deputy Broughan constantly reacts. This Government acts.
The Minister keeps saying this.
It is the truth.
It is not. It is a lie.
Deputy Broughan is out of order.
Deputy Broughan did not even know what FRIACO was until I mentioned it.
Deputy Broughan must withdraw the word "lie".
It is a downright lie.
Withdraw the word "lie", Deputy.
Can I clarify the record?
Withdraw the word "lie" first.
I withdraw the word "lie".
Right.
Can I clarify the record? The Minister keeps saying—
You have already clarified it. It is the Minister's turn to answer. He has two minutes.
Can I just say one thing?
I ask the Deputy to resume his seat and to allow the Minister to continue.
The Labour Party leader, Deputy Rabbitte, produced a report, Ireland On-line, before the 2002 election.
We cannot have a situation in this House where a Member asks the Minister a question but does not allow him to answer.
I am sick of hearing this nonsense. I am not the Minister. I wish I was, but I am not.
I can address the matter another way. Can Deputy Broughan clarify Labour Party policy on whether or not Eircom should lose some of its market share? Perhaps the Deputy will have discussions with the CWU to which he is very close.
I have had.
The Minister is asking Deputy Broughan a question.
The Minister should address his remarks to the Chair. Perhaps he would not then invite interruptions from Deputy Broughan.
Perhaps Deputy Broughan will ask his Democratic Left masters whether or not Eircom should lose part of its market share. As usual Deputy Broughan is full of bluster. The facts can be discovered if one goes to any of 19 major towns and regions. I heard on "AA Roadwatch" this morning that there is traffic congestion in Letterkenny because of broadband development.
It is about time.
In Carrick-on-Suir and 19 towns and regions around the country broadband is being introduced.
There is no traffic congestion in Enniscorthy as a result of broadband being laid down.
The time for this question is concluded.
The other day, I signed regulations to provide for the issue of 59 wireless licences. It is Deputy Broughan who is wrong and misleading the House. If he speaks to anyone in the telecommunications industry, they will tell him that this Government is the first one to understand what this is all about.
That is not what the report states.
Congratulations to the Minister on understanding his brief.
