Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 May 2016
565. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if, with regard to the establishment of a taskforce on mobile telephones and broadband, he will ensure that the task force is chaired by and contains individuals independent of the current broadband or mobile regulatory regime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11337/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra569. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will launch a process to measure blackspots where there is no broadband and no mobile coverage and to publish the results. [11342/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra570. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources with regard to the rollout of broadband to rural areas, if his Department has conducted an impact assessment for rural businesses for the delay in some areas of broadband to 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11394/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 565, 569 and 570 together.
The Department has conducted a Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) on the potential impact of the National Broadband Plan (NBP) for those areas currently lacking access to high speed broadband. An extract from the CBA report showing the qualitative benefits entitled Benefits of High Speed Broadband was published on www.broadband.gov.ie. It is clear from this report and other research conducted by my Department that enterprises across Ireland will benefit from the rollout of high speed broadband and delivery of the National Broadband Plan is therefore a priority for Government.
The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to the establishment within 100 days of a mobile phone and broadband Taskforce which will consider immediate measures to address telecommunications deficits in rural Ireland. My Department will be engaging with the Department of Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht in relation to the terms of reference for the task force including its membership to ensure delivery of the Programme for Government commitment within the timelines set out.
In the meantime, my Department continues to liaise closely with industry and relevant other Departments and agencies to assist in the commercial deployment of telecommunications networks. The commercial telecommunications sector has invested over €2bn in upgrading and modernising networks which support the provision of high speed broadband services including acquiring spectrum under ComReg's 2012 Multi-Band Spectrum Auction for rollout of 3G and 4G mobile services. These investments will further improve the coverage and quality of broadband and mobile voice and data services throughout the country although I understand that some temporary disruptions to service have been encountered when upgrades are taking place.
The Department is working with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government with a view to removing planning and other infrastructure barriers to telecommunications infrastructure rollout.
The National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed broadband service to every city, town, village and individual premise in Ireland. The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to the delivery of the NBP as a matter of priority. The procurement process is already underway and five responses have been received from prospective bidders to the first stage of the competitive procurement process. These are being assessed in line with the criteria set down by the Department with a view to shortlisted qualified bidders proceeding to the next stage of procurement.
The second stage in the procurement process will be a formal invitation to Participate in Dialogue (ITPD) to shortlisted bidders. I expect that my Department will move to this stage in the next month. The third stage of the procurement process involves the issue of final tender documentation which follows the dialogue process. Following the submission of final tenders by bidders, a winning bidder(s) will be selected for the contract which will comprise one or two lots as set out in the Intervention Strategy document. The Department will then enter into formal contract negotiations with the winning bidder(s). It is expected that a contract will be awarded by June 2017.
As part of the competitive process, the Department will engage with winning bidder(s) on the best rollout strategy in order to target areas of particularly poor service, business needs and / or high demand. This will need to be balanced with the most efficient network rollout plan. A prioritisation programme will be put in place in this regard, in consultation with the Minister for Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht.
I am in discussion with Minister Heather Humphreys on the detailed arrangements to give effect to commitments in the Programme for a Partnership Government regarding her Department’s role in relation to the rollout phase of the National Broadband Plan. That role will include leading on the establishment of county or regional broadband taskforces and working with Local Authorities, Local Enterprise Offices, LEADER Groups and other relevant agencies to help accelerate the broadband network build in rural Ireland, once a contract(s) has been awarded.
