Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 April 2012
737 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the study commissioned by his Department in 2009 which recommended the laying of fibre optic cable between Monaghan, Cavan and Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, to enhance the provision of high speed telecommunications infrastructure in the border region. [18023/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraA study was carried out in 2009 on behalf of my Department and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) in Northern Ireland to consider a possible cross border telecoms link in the Cavan/Monaghan/Fermanagh area under the North-South Interreg IVA cooperation programme. The study identified that further connectivity between Monaghan, Cavan and Enniskillen would be suitable for Interreg funding, but the match (non-EU) funding required to carry out a further cross border telecoms project has not, however, been available. Both Departments have already funded the Kelvin international connectivity project, which was a major cross border telecoms project under the North-South Interreg IVA cooperation programme. The Kelvin project has brought international connectivity to counties Derry, Tyrone, Antrim, Down, Armagh, Monaghan and Louth.
