More Parliamentary Questions to Dempsey

damien

Loads to follow, this to start with though

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION No. 79

Dail Eireann

To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent to which the Government have co-invested with Eircom and a company (details supplied) in the provision of DSL broadband and the ESB national fibre wrap project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. - Seymour Crawford. (Nominated by: Bernard J. Durkan).

For ORAL answer on Tuesday, 30th November, 2004.


Ref No: 31204/04

REPLY


Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr N Dempsey)

A number of private sector broadband infrastructure projects were co-funded under the NDP 2000-2006.

The ESB fibre wrap project consisted of the creation of a 1,300 kilometre optic fibre trunk network along the main electricity transmission grid, using the cables to carry the fibre. The network extends in two loops, the Southern loop serving Counties Limerick, Cork, Waterford, Wicklow, Dublin, Kildare, Laois, Offaly and Tipperary, while the Northern loop passes through Clare, Galway, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan, Louth and Meath and also extends as far as Buncrana in Co. Donegal. The total eligible expenditure on the fibre wrap project was €45,913,609, and the grant paid was €14,878,582.

Esat BT completed a number of projects under the previous NDP 1994-1999, including the rollout of national and urban fibre networks and the construction of a high-capacity digital corridor linking Dublin, Athlone, Galway and Shannon, serving 30 locations en route. Total investment in these projects amounted to €27,880,000, and grant funding was €9,229,973.

Under NDP 2000-2006 the company upgraded its digital link from Cork to Clonakilty, and enabled 40 telephone exchanges for delivery of broadband by Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL), at a total cost of €14,287,848. The grant paid was €4,109,114.

The grant agreement with Eircom provided for upgrades to telephone exchanges for the provision of DSL services. Fourteen exchanges were enabled, at a total eligible expenditure of €3,694,502. The grant paid was €1,369,772.

All of these projects were completed in 2003.

So to enable 1300 lines cost the taxpayer €4 million. Thats about €3846 per customer.

spongebob

damien.m wrote:

Loads to follow, this to start with though
So to enable 1300 lines cost the taxpayer €4 million. Thats about €3846 per customer.

Only ESAT has LLU lines so all the 1300 are ESAT lines . ESAT got €9.23 million for that project for a cost to the taxpayer of c.€7,100 FOR EVERY UNBUNDLED LINE IN IRELAND .

M

damien

Muck, the €9.23 million was for their fibre rings, no ? €4.1million was for the dsl project ?

damien

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION Nos. 70, 98, 125, 140,
141 & 145

Dail Eireann

To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reasons that the provision of broadband facilities throughout the country has not kept pace with original projections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. - Enda Kenny. (Nominated by: Bernard J. Durkan).
For ORAL answer on Tuesday, 30th November, 2004.
Ref No: 31217/04

To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent to which provision of the most modern telecommunications technology is being made available to the domestic and business sectors throughout the country; if provision to date is in line with expectations and projections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. - Billy Timmins. (Nominated by: Bernard J. Durkan).

For ORAL answer on Tuesday, 30th November, 2004.
Ref No: 31203/04

To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when he expects the provision of state of the art telecommunications here to catch up with European leaders in this area; and if he will make a statement on the
matter. - Damien English. (Nominated by: Bernard J. Durkan).
For ORAL answer on Tuesday, 30th November, 2004.
Ref No: 31214/04


To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason Ireland's place in the league of modern fast telecommunications has dropped; and if he will make a statement on the matter. - Jimmy Deenihan. (Nominated by: Bernard J. Durkan).
For ORAL answer on Tuesday, 30th November, 2004.
Ref No: 31216/04


To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent to which telecommunications objectives in the National Development Plan have been met to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. - Billy Timmins. (Nominated by: Bernard J. Durkan).
For ORAL answer on Tuesday, 30th November, 2004.
Ref No: 31202/04

To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if earlier projections in regard to the provision of broadband throughout the country have been met to his satisfaction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. - Bernard Allen. (Nominated by: Bernard J. Durkan).
For ORAL answer on Tuesday, 30th November, 2004.
Ref No: 31280/04 Lottery: 98

REPLY

Dempsey's Reply
I propose to take Questions Nos. 70, 98, 125, 140, 141, and 145 together.

Up to early 2003 the telecommunications market, although fully liberalised, had been slow to invest in the necessary infrastructure to keep pace with the demand for broadband. In March 2002 the Government set out its aim of placing Ireland within the top 10% of OECD countries for broadband connectivity within three years. Recognising that the lack of high-speed infrastructure would deny us that goal, the Government set aside an indicative €200 million under the NDP for infrastructure developments that would enable the provision of services by the private sector.

The creation of high-capacity backbone infrastructure and Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) are the cornerstones of the programme. Nineteen MANs have now been completed, and seven more are under construction.

In the next phase of the programme broadband networks will be rolled out in over 90 towns of 1,500 population and more. The MANs are being managed for the State on an open-access basis, and offer private sector telecommunications providers wholesale rates for bandwidth that are on a par with the best available in Europe.

The Group Broadband Scheme, which was introduced by my Department earlier this year, enables smaller towns and rural communities to come together with the service providers and, with funding assistance of up to 55% from my Department, obtain broadband connectivity using the most suitable technology. Considerable interest is being shown in the scheme, with applications submitted by more than 50 communities to date.

The availability of broadband is increasing. Telecommunications companies are now vigorously marketing Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) broadband in all areas, while other broadband technologies such as satellite, wireless and cable are all growing in popularity. The number of broadband customers is growing by more than 30% per quarter, and has increased 80-fold in the past year to over 105,000customers today.

Other countries are also actively pushing the broadband agenda, and that will make our targets harder to reach. However, we have seen significant progress in 2004 in terms of increased broadband penetration and I am satisfied that the conditions are in place to see this rate of progress sustained through 2005.

spongebob

damien.m wrote:

Muck, the €9.23 million was for their fibre rings, no ? €4.1million was for the dsl project ?

10m for the DSL including local fibre to the 40 exchanges in the project. Damned if it wasnt IEP 10 million IIRC but never mind . http://www.enn.ie/news.html?code=4579794

They got more ca$h for a fibre to Clonakilty Biz Park in Cork and other fibre stuff at the time. That list of projects grant aided is [http://www.marine.gov.ie/files/CommsDevEIOP.PDF]Here[/URL] or else in the Google Cache .



M

damien

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION Nos. 22, 33, 38, 61, 65, 72, 73, 77, 84, 93, 129,130 & 131

Dail Eireann

To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if state of the art telecommunications technology in this country is keeping pace with similar developments in other European and non European countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. - Olivia Mitchell. (Nominated by: Bernard J. Durkan).
For ORAL answer on Thursday, 21st October, 2004.
Ref No: 25832/04 Lottery: 19

To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the progress to date of the metropolitan area networks giving indications of the networks which are now open, the numbers of operators and the volume of traffic on each network. - John Gormley. (Nominated by: Eamon Ryan).

For ORAL answer on Thursday, 21st October, 2004.
Ref No: 25761/04 Lottery: 31

To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views on the best means whereby advanced telecommunications technology can be made available to the business and domestic sector on a countrywide basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. - Gay Mitchell. (Nominated by: Bernard J. Durkan).
For ORAL answer on Thursday, 21st October, 2004.
Ref No: 25830/04 Lottery: 37

To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent to which he can encourage greater use of telephone technology to assist the business sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. - Padraic McCormack. (Nominated by: Bernard J. Durkan).
For ORAL answer on Thursday, 21st October, 2004.
Ref No: 25823/04 Lottery: 63 Proof: 63

To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the results of a survey carried out by the European Competitive Telecommunications Associations showing that Ireland is near the bottom of a league table measuring the penetration of broadband services; the steps he intends to take to address this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. - Ruairi Quinn. (Nominated by: Thomas P. Broughan).
For ORAL answer on Thursday, 21st October, 2004.
Ref No: 25657/04 Lottery: 70

To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his priorities for the provision of broadband technology throughout the country with particular reference to industrial requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. - Gay Mitchell. (Nominated by: Bernard J. Durkan).
For ORAL answer on Thursday, 21st October, 2004.
Ref No: 25829/04 Lottery: 81

To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has received requests from the business sector in connection with the provision of urgently required telecommunications services; his plans to respond; and if he will make a statement on the matter. - Olivia Mitchell. (Nominated by: Bernard J. Durkan).
For ORAL answer on Thursday, 21st October, 2004.
Ref No: 25831/04 Lottery: 82


To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent to which broadband technology is available throughout the country; his timetable for meeting deficiencies therein; and if he will make a statement on the matter. - Gerard Murphy. (Nominated by: Bernard J. Durkan).
For ORAL answer on Thursday, 21st October, 2004.
Ref No: 25833/04 Lottery: 87

To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the progress to date in the provision of high quality broadband telecommunications facilities for Gaeltacht areas. - Fergus O'Dowd. (Nominated by: Fergus O'Dowd).
For ORAL answer on Thursday, 21st October, 2004.
Ref No: 22742/04

To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans to enhance the availability of e-technology to both the business and domestic sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. - Paul McGrath. (Nominated by: Bernard J. Durkan).
For ORAL answer on Thursday, 21st October, 2004.
Ref No: 25827/04 Lottery: 111

To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason Ireland has fallen behind other European and non European countries in the provision of broadband and other state of the art methods of modern telecommunications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. - Bernard J. Durkan.
* For WRITTEN answer on Thursday, 21st October, 2004.
Ref No: 25941/04

To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the degree to which full broadband facilities are available throughout the country; his plans to improve the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. - Bernard J. Durkan.
* For WRITTEN answer on Thursday, 21st October, 2004.
Ref No: 25942/04


To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason it is that in terms of broadband availability Ireland comes 13 out of 14 in a recently published European league; and if he will make a statement on the matter. - Bernard J. Durkan.

* For WRITTEN answer on Thursday, 21st October, 2004.

Ref No: 25943/04

__________________________________________________




REPLY
Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr N Dempsey) I propose to take Questions 22, 33, 38, 61, 65, 72, 73, 77, 84, 93, 129, 130 and 131 together.

The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is primarily a matter for companies operating in a fully liberalised market, regulated by Comreg, the Commission for Communications Regulation. The growth in Broadband uptake in recent months has been very encouraging. At the beginning of 2004 there were 3,000 broadband users, and the figure is expected to be in excess of 100,000 at the end of the year.

In the New Connections document, published by the Department of An Taoiseach in April 2002, the Government stated its commitment to placing Ireland within the top 10% of OECD countries for broadband connectivity within 5 years. This target should be achieved by the end of 2007.

To drive the delivery of open access broadband infrastructure, an indicative €200 million of Government and ERDF funding was set aside under the NDP 2000-2006. Phase 1 of my Department’s Regional Broadband Programme, the building of Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) in 26 towns and cities in association with the local authorities, is now almost completed. The networks are being completed to schedule and within budget, and are being managed for the State on an open-access basis by E-Net, which was awarded the services concession contract during the Summer. There is already commercial traffic on the MANs that have been completed.

Phase 2 of the programme involves the rollout of MANs to over 90 towns with a population of 1,500 and over. Proposals in respect of the next 45 of these towns have already been received and are currently being considered by my Department. It is expected that contracts will be in place by the end of 2004, and construction completed by the end of 2005. The call for the remaining towns will issue early in 2005, and construction is expected to commence later that year.

For smaller towns and rural communities, the Group Broadband Scheme, administered by my Department, offers grant support to communities to come together and pool their requirements, and obtain broadband for their area in association with a broadband provider. Funding assistance of up to 55% is available from my Department. Over 50 applications have been received under the Group Broadband Scheme to date, and to date five grants have been sanctioned by me. Further announcements will be made shortly regarding approvals under the Scheme. One of the Group Broadband Schemes that have been approved is located in the Gaeltacht area of Dungloe, Co. Donegal, and one of the first group of MANs is located in Gaoth Dobhair. The CLÁR Programme, administered by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, has specific responsibility for initiatives in Gaeltacht areas, and my officials are working closely with the CLÁR administrators to ensure optimum take-up of funding opportunities for broadband in Gaeltacht areas.

In addition to these initiatives, my Department, in partnership with the Department of Education and Science, and the Telecommunications and Internet Federation, is undertaking a programme of delivering free high-speed broadband connectivity to every primary and post-primary school in the State by the end of 2005. Latest national broadband figures show a 70-fold increase in broadband customers since March 2003, with the number of DSL customers currently over 75,000, and growing by over 30% each quarter.

In addition there are over 6,000 customers who access broadband by cable modem, and over 4,000 using fixed wireless access. These figures place Ireland favourably in the league table for broadband, and indicate that the Government’s target should be reached by 2007.

damien

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION Nos. 255 & 256
Dail Eireann

To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when he expects broadband facilities to be available nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. - Bernard J. Durkan.
* For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 30th November, 2004.
Ref No: 31488/04

To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the regions throughout the country which already have broadband services or are likely to so do in the next 12 months; the areas likely to come on-stream after that period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. - Bernard J. Durkan.
* For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 30th November, 2004.
Ref No: 31489/04


REPLY

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr N Dempsey)
I propose to take Questions Nos.255 and 256 together.

The availability of broadband is increasing as the service providers extend the range of services on offer, using broadband delivery technologies such as Digital Subscriber Lines, satellite, wireless and cable.

A number of telecommunications companies are now vigorously marketing broadband in all areas of the country. Full details of the companies and the services on offer can be found on my Department’s website www.broadband.gov.ie

damien

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION No 274

Dail Eireann

To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of applications as yet unmet for broadband services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. - Bernard J. Durkan.
* For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 30th November, 2004.
Ref No: 31510/04

REPLY
Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr N Dempsey)

The provision of broadband services is a matter for the private sector companies operating in a fully liberalised market, regulated by ComReg, the Commission for Communications Regulation, and I have no function in the matter.

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION No 283
Dail Eireann

To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the bodies, agencies or groups with which he has had discussions towards the provision of broadband services throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. - Bernard J. Durkan.
* For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 30th November, 2004.
Ref No: 31519/04


REPLY
Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr N Dempsey)

My Department’s Regional Broadband Programme is rolling out the provision of high-speed infrastructure in all parts of the country that will enable the provision of broadband services by the private sector. The cornerstone of the programme is the Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) that are being constructed in association with the local and regional authorities.

My officials are in constant touch with officials in the local authorities, and with the professional bodies that act as my Department’s technical and legal consultants on the projects. Over 50 community groups have made submissions to my Department under the Group Broadband Scheme, and my officials are in contact with representatives of these groups.

The Broadband for Schools project is an €18 million joint venture between my Department, the Department of Education and Science, and the Telecommunications and Internet Federation. Regular meetings are held between representatives of all parties involved.

damien

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION Nos. 279, 280, 281 & 282

Dail Eireann

To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the way in which it is intended to improve Ireland's position relative to other European countries in the area of telecommunications with particular reference to the need to meet the ongoing demand of the domestic and business sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. - Bernard J. Durkan.
* For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 30th November, 2004.
Ref No: 31515/04

To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason Ireland is not better placed in the international league in terms of broadband availability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. - Bernard J. Durkan.
* For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 30th November, 2004.
Ref No: 31516/04

To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason the broadband projections announced in the National Development Plan have not been achieved in line with expectations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. - Bernard J. Durkan.
* For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 30th November, 2004.
Ref No: 31517/04


To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if legislative changes are necessary to encourage the promotion of competition and the provision of broadband services throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. - Bernard J. Durkan.
* For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 30th November, 2004.
Ref No: 31518/04

REPLY
Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr N Dempsey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 279 to 282, inclusive.

Although the telecommunications market is fully liberalised, and the provision of services is driven by commercial imperatives, until early 2003 infrastructure investment by the private sector had failed to keep pace with the demand for broadband.

Recognising the lack of investment by the private sector in high-speed infrastructure, the Government set aside an indicative €200 million under the NDP for infrastructure developments that would enable the provision of services by the sector. The creation of high-capacity backbone infrastructure and Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) are the cornerstones of the programme. Nineteen MANs have now been completed, and seven more are under construction. In the next phase of the programme broadband networks will be rolled out in over 90 towns of 1,500 population and more. The MANs are being managed for the State on an open-access basis, and offer private sector telecommunications providers wholesale rates for bandwidth that are on a par with the best available in Europe.

The availability of broadband is increasing. Telecommunications companies are now vigorously marketing Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) broadband in all areas, while other broadband technologies such as satellite, wireless and cable are growing in popularity. The number of broadband customers is growing by more than 30% per quarter, and has increased 80 fold in the past year to over 105,000 customers today. These figures place Ireland favourably in the league tables, and indicate that the Government’s objective is attainable.

damien

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION No 185

Dail Eireann

To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason for the delay in the provision of broadband facilities in view of the commitment to achieve 320,000 connections by 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. - Bernard J. Durkan.

* For WRITTEN answer on Thursday, 11th November, 2004.
Ref No: 28588/04

Reply

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr N Dempsey)

The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter in the first instance for the private sector companies operating in a fully liberalised market, regulated by ComReg, the Commission for Communications Regulation.

Recent figures from ComReg indicate that there are now 104,700 broadband customers, and the figure is rising by 30% per quarter.

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION No 253
Dail Eireann

To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has satisfied himself that sufficient competition has been generated in the provision of broadband facilities nationwide to meet the desired requirements and objectives; if he intends to issue directives in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. - Bernard J. Durkan.

For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 30th November, 2004.
Ref No: 31486/04

REPLY
Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr N Dempsey)

The telecommunications sector is fully liberalised, and operates as an open market, regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation. The question of competition in the market is a matter for the Regulator. My Department’s Regional Broadband Programme is investing an indicative €200 million of Government and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) funding, in association with the local authorities, in the provision of high-speed networks in towns and cities that will enable the provision of broadband services by the private sector.

Nineteen of the Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) have now been completed, and a further seven are under construction. The completed MANs are already carrying commercial traffic. The Programme includes plans to provide high-speed infrastructure in more than 90 towns with a population of 1,500 and over.

The increasing availability of broadband in recent months has been most encouraging, and a number of firms are now advertising broadband availability in any location in Ireland. My Department’s website www.broadband.gov.ie gives full details of the service providers, prices and services on offer.

damien

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION No. 252

Dail Eireann

To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the efforts he has made to advance broadband facilities for businesses in the Bantry area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. - Bernard J. Durkan.

* For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 30th November, 2004.
Ref No: 31485/04


REPLY
Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr N Dempsey)

The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter for the fully liberalised private sector, regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation.

In response to the under-investment by the sector in the late 1990’s in the infrastructure necessary to deliver broadband nationwide, the Government set aside an indicative €200 million under the National Development Plan 2000-2006 for the creation of high-speed fibre infrastructure in towns and cities that will enable the provision of broadband by private sector companies.

Nineteen Metropolitan Area fibre Networks (MANs) have already been built, and a further seven are under construction. These networks are being managed independently on an open-access basis, and offer the service providers access to high-bandwidth services at competitive costs. The MANs that have been completed are already carrying commercial traffic.

Phase 2 of the programme, now under way, will see the rollout of broadband infrastructure to over 90 towns with a population of 1,500 and more that are not being provided with broadband by the telecommunications companies. Calls for proposals have issued in respect of 41 of those towns, including Bantry, and it is expected that contracts will be in place before the end of this year. The call for the remaining towns will issue in the New Year.

There are encouraging signs that the availability of broadband is increasing rapidly, and a number of firms are now advertising broadband connectivity anywhere in the country, using a variety of delivery platforms such as fibre, wireless, satellite and Digital Subscriber Lines.

Details of these firms, including prices and contact numbers, can be found on my Department’s website www.broadband.gov.ie

damien

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION No. 286

Dail Eireann

To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of presentations made to his Department or to the Cabinet in regard to the expansion of broadband facilities; if such discussions took place in the context of the National Development Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. - Bernard J. Durkan.

* For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 30th November, 2004.
Ref No: 31522/04


REPLY
Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr N Dempsey)

My Department has made no presentations to the full Cabinet in regard to the expansion of broadband facilities. However, a presentation is made at least annually to the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Infrastructure and Public Private Partnership (PPPs). My Department receives regular presentations from interested parties regarding expansion of broadband facilities.

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION No 184
Dail Eireann

To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the most modern options now available in respect of provision of broadband or other high-tech communication facilities; the degree to which provision of such facilities is being pursued in this country; the extent to which Ireland is capable of keeping pace with and catching up on competitors in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. - Bernard J. Durkan.

* For WRITTEN answer on Thursday, 11th November, 2004.
Ref No: 28587/04

REPLY
Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr N Dempsey)

The delivery of broadband, and other high-tech communication facilities, is a matter for the fully liberalised telecommunications sector, regulated by ComReg, the Commission for Communications Regulation.

The Government set aside an indicative €200 million under the NDP 2000-2006 for investment in broadband infrastructure, including the Regional Metropolitan Area Network Programme. These networks consist of high-capacity fibre trunks, built to the highest international standards, and with sufficient capacity to cater for many years into the future.

The infrastructure being built under the programme will remain in State ownership, and is being managed for the State on an open access basis by E-Net, who have been awarded the services concession contract following a public tender process. Private sector companies are now able to offer world-class broadband services based on the provision of infrastructure by the State.

Under the NDP 2000-2006 the Government has also co-invested with Eircom and Esat BT in the rollout of DSL broadband and in the ESB’s national fibre-wrap project.

Latest figures from ComReg show that there are now 104,700 broadband customers in Ireland, and the figure is rising by 30% per quarter. The infrastructure rollout has enhanced the sector’s offerings of broadband in all areas, using a variety of delivery platforms.

Full details of the Regional Broadband Programme can be found on my Department’s website www.dcmnr.gov.ie Details of broadband product offerings in various parts of the country can be found at www.broadband.gov.ie

damien

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION No 133
Dail Eireann

To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views on the recent newspaper article in the matter of the inadequate response by his Department and Eircom to the urgent need for the early provision of broadband facilities throughout the country with particular reference to the inadequacy of the investment programme required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. - Bernard J. Durkan.

* For WRITTEN answer on Thursday, 4th November, 2004.
Ref No: 27675/04


REPLY
Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr N Dempsey)

In a liberalised market, it is a matter in the first instance for the market players to provide telecommunications and broadband services. Recognising, however, that the pace of high-speed broadband rollout to the regions was not sufficient to attain the Government’s national broadband goals as set out in “New Connections” and in its Broadband Strategy, in March 2002, the then Minister announced the Regional Metropolitan Area Network Programme. Against the backdrop of this concern, later in 2002, Forfás and the Department of the Taoiseach engaged SJS Consulting Incorporated to review that programme and the policy options for national broadband rollout generally.

As part of this process, the consultants held discussions with my Department, Eircom and other service providers. Officials from my Department met with eircom on a number of occasions to discuss the options put forward by the consultants. The consultants and officials from my Department also met with other market players and a number of public consultations under the aegis of IBEC’s Telecoms and Internet Federation and Forfás were also held.

At no stage were negotiations entered into with eircom or any other party. At no stage were terms such as postulated in the Sunday Business Post article on offer nor did the Government offer to fund Eircom directly or indirectly through subsidised loans, tax breaks or any other means. This has also been publicly confirmed by eircom.

The Government at that time was dissatisfied with the speed of broadband roll-out and decided to intervene with a view to bringing forward proposals to address this problem. Government policy is that it favours investment in open access infrastructure which all operators have access to on similar transparent terms. That is the idea behind the Government’s open-access Metropolitan Area Network Programme, which is rolling out high-speed broadband infrastructure to all 120 towns and cities regionally.

The Sunday Business Post article of 31 October last to which the Deputy refers, contends, inter alia, that the Government offered eircom a €1.8bn deal to rollout broadband nationally. It also contends that Eircom was offered a range of incentives such as tax breaks, subsidized loans, amendments to the Building Regulations and price increases as “carrots”. These claims are untrue.

Consultancy advice contained in a report to a Government subcommittee, agency or a Department should not be misconstrued as Government policy. The telecommunications market is a regulated market and thus any action by Government has to be consonant with national and EU regulation. Accordingly, Government is not in the business of entering exclusive contracts of the kind inferred by the article with any market entities.

damien

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION Nos. 99 & 119

Dail Eireann

To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if, as was suggested in a recent newspaper article, he, his officials or others representing the Government have had discussions with a broadband service provider; if other service providers were involved in such discussions; if the interests of competition in this sector were considered and observed in the course of such discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. - Tom Hayes. (Nominated by: Bernard J. Durkan).

For ORAL answer on Tuesday, 30th November, 2004.
Ref No: 31200/04

To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he authorised a consultancy report with reference to the provision of broadband services as was indicated in a recent newspaper article (details supplied); the terms of reference given to any such consultants; if a presentation was made to Cabinet on or on behalf of one or more service providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. - Seymour Crawford. (Nominated by: Bernard J. Durkan).

For ORAL answer on Tuesday, 30th November, 2004.
Ref No: 31205/04


REPLY
Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr N Dempsey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 99 and 119 together. The newspaper article of 31 October last to which the Deputy refers, contends, inter alia, that the Government offered Eircom a €1.8bn deal to rollout broadband nationally. It also contends that Eircom was offered a range of incentives such as tax breaks, subsidised loans, amendments to the Building Regulations and price increases as “carrots”. These claims are untrue.

At no stage were negotiations entered into with Eircom or any other party. At no stage were terms such as postulated in the newspaper article on offer, nor did the Government offer to fund Eircom directly or indirectly through subsidised loans, tax breaks or any other means. Consultancy advice contained in a report to a Government subcommittee, agency or a Department should not be misconstrued as Government policy.

The telecommunications market is a regulated market and thus any action by Government has to be consonant with national and EU regulation. Accordingly, Government is not in the business of entering exclusive contracts of the kind inferred by the article with any market entities. It favours investment in open access infrastructure which all operators have access to on similar transparent terms. That is the ethos behind the Government’s open-access Metropolitan Area Network Programme, which is rolling out high-speed broadband infrastructure to 120 towns and cities regionally.

To the extent that discussions are held between officials of my Department and executives of other telecommunications operators and their representative associations, these were and are born of sound public policy practice and in the context of seeking to align as much as possible the broadband rollout plans of corporate entities and those of the Government, as published in New Connections and the Government’s broadband plans.

In that context I wish to commend the telecommunications operators who have contributed significantly to the 80-fold increase in broadband consumers in Ireland in the last 15 months.

damien

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION No. 80
Dail Eireann

To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the degree to which it is intended to combine wireless and fixed line broadband facilities throughout the country; the anticipated deadlines in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. - John Deasy. (Nominated by: Bernard J. Durkan).

For ORAL answer on Tuesday, 30th November, 2004.
Ref No: 31198/04

REPLY
Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr N Dempsey)

Broadband is the term used for a high-speed always-on connection to the internet, and is generally used to describe data speeds of at least 10 times the rate available using the dial-up connection over standard telephone lines.

Broadband can be delivered via a number of different technologies, including Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL), coaxial cable, fibre optic cable, fixed wireless and satellite links. The broadband speeds available are lowest with DSL, while optic fibre offers virtually unlimited bandwidth.

There are now upwards of 105,000 broadband subscribers in Ireland. DSL is the most widely used broadband delivery system in Ireland, with over 83% of broadband customers using this technology. In areas where DSL cannot be delivered, for reasons of line quality or distance from the telephone exchange, other technologies, such as fixed wireless or satellite, offer subscribers a means of obtaining broadband.

The use of different technologies by the market is determined by local circumstances, geography, commercial criteria and customer needs. Up to early 2003 the market had been slow to invest in broadband infrastructure, and in response to the infrastructure deficit my Department put in place the Regional Broadband Programme, under which an indicative €200 million of Government and ERDF funding is being invested in high-speed high-capacity fibre trunk networks that enable the provision of services by the private sector.

The creation of high-capacity backbone infrastructure and Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) are the cornerstones of the programme. Nineteen MANs have now been completed, and seven more are under construction. In the next phase of the MANs programme broadband networks will be rolled out in over 90 towns of 1,500 population and more. The MANs are being managed for the State on an open-access basis, and offer private sector telecommunications providers access to services at bandwidths and prices on a par with the best available in Europe.

The increasing availability of broadband can be seen from the fact that all telecommunications companies are now vigorously marketing broadband in all areas, using technologies such as DSL, satellite, wireless and cable. The number of broadband customers is growing by more than 30% per quarter, and has increased 80-fold in the past year. I am satisfied that the conditions are in place to see this rate of progress sustained through 2005.

SeaSide

I propose to take Questions Nos. 99 and 119 together. The newspaper article of 31 October last to which the Deputy refers, contends, inter alia, that the Government offered Eircom a €1.8bn deal to rollout broadband nationally. It also contends that Eircom was offered a range of incentives such as tax breaks, subsidised loans, amendments to the Building Regulations and price increases as “carrots”. These claims are untrue.

At no stage were negotiations entered into with Eircom or any other party. At no stage were terms such as postulated in the newspaper article on offer, nor did the Government offer to fund Eircom directly or indirectly through subsidised loans, tax breaks or any other means. Consultancy advice contained in a report to a Government subcommittee, agency or a Department should not be misconstrued as Government policy.

I suppose this means that the actual figure was 1.79b

eircomtribunal

SeaSide wrote:

I suppose this means that the actual figure was 1.79b

It'd also be nice to get to know how much our gov paid out for the Ira Magaziner advice. Especially as the gov seems to have not used it.
P.

damien

FOI is great.