Last year, I consulted with the consumers, communications experts and the industry to ascertain how Ireland will meet our ambitious broadband and communications targets. I used the Ammado social networking site, the website Boards.ie and met with interested parties in Dublin Castle. It was extremely useful.

The Government will invest €435m over the next years, to drive the development of Ireland’s knowledge economy.

I set out the actions I will take, which include the delivery of high speed broadband (100MBs) to second-level schools nationwide, requiring all new build premises to have open access fibre connections and establishing a “one stop shop” to provide service providers with flexible and open access to existing and future ducting infrastructure.

• 100mbit broadband access to every secondary school in Ireland
• New planning regulations to ensure open access fibres are installed in all new buildings
• Establishment of a One Stop Shop to give service providers flexible and open

access to existing and future state ducting infrastructure.

Work is underway – we have begun with the National Broadband Scheme, are pressing ahead with our international connectivity projects (Project Kelvin) and are establishing a regulatory platform for the use of our spectrum. In the coming weeks, my Department will publish the final policy paper on the use of Next Generation Networks. We are making progress – in fact, since 2002, we have had a 6008% increase in broadband subscriptions in this country. I want to work on this fact, and improve speeds and cost in the coming years.

You can see more on my Department’s website: http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Press+Releases/2008/Minister+Ryan+publishes+Government+plan+for+next+generation+broadband.htm