Written Answers. - Parliamentary Debates - Houses of the Oireachtas

Questions— 14 February 2012. Written Answers
Telecommunications Services
401. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy
and Natural Resources when he will be in a position to supply high speed broadband to an
area (details supplied) in County Offaly; if it is envisaged that the existing service will be
improved in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8015/12]
Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Pat Rabbitte):
Ireland’s telecommunications market has been liberalised since 1999 and thus the delivery of
all communications services in that market, including broadband services, is a matter for private
sector commercial operators, in the first instance. EU State Aid and competition rules govern
how states can intervene in the market which, as a general rule, prohibits State intervention in
areas already served by the open market. The National Broadband Scheme is an example of
an approved Government intervention on the basis that it is restricted to providing a basic
broadband service in areas of the country un-served by the open market.
Under the NewERA proposals in the Programme for Government, there is a commitment
to co-invest with the private sector and commercial Semi State sector to provide high-speed
Next Generation Broadband access to every home and business in the State.
The Next Generation Broadband Taskforce, which I convened last summer, has an important
role to play in this regard. The Taskforce, which I chair, also comprises Minister of State,
Fergus O’Dowd, T.D., the CEOs of all of the major telecommunications companies operating
in the Irish market, as well as CEOs of some other companies that provide broadband services.
The purpose of the Taskforce is to discuss and report on policy issues and proposals in relation
to the provision of high speed broadband across Ireland.
The Taskforce, and four Working Groups reporting to it, are considering issues such as
targets, spectrum policy, private sector investment plans, and the removal of barriers in order
to facilitate investment. I expect that the Taskforce will help to identify how best to deliver
wider customer access to high-speed broadband generally and thereby assist in delivering on
the commitment in the Programme for Government.
The Taskforce will conclude its deliberations shortly. I intend to consider the findings, conclusions
and recommendations of the report of the Taskforce and to make a submission to
Government in this regard. It is my objective to move quickly thereafter to put in place the
optimal policy environment for the delivery of high speed broadband.
Broadcasting Services
402. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural
Resources the reason the Saorview service which is imposing additional charges on householders
is necessary; if householders will be allowed to retain their existing satisfactory service;
and if not, the reason therefore. [8126/12]
Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Pat Rabbitte): Broadcasting
services which use the radio spectrum are planned at an international level. This is to
avoid broadcast services in the different countries interfering with each other. The move from
analogue to digital broadcasting is no exception and the planning for this has taken place on a
world wide scale.
In Geneva in 2006 a conference was held between the countries of Europe, Asia and Africa
to finalise and agree a plan to move from analogue TV to digital TV. The agreement was
signed by over 140 countries including Ireland. The deadline for full implementation of this
plan is 2015.
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