asked the Minister for Communications if he will establish an independent agency to oversee the consumers' interest and the rules of fair competition in relation to telecommunication services, as this is a feature of a growing number of EC member states.
Ceisteanna-Questions. Oral Answers. - Proposed Independent Consumers Agency.
1.
I have no proposals to establish an independent consumers agency. I am satisfied that there are sufficient safeguards already in place to oversee the consumers' interest in the telecommunications area.
The remit of the Ombudsman was extended so that an adequate forum would exist for dealing with complaints from the public. In addition, my Department have a general responsibility to ensure that Telecom Éireann provide satisfactory services to the public and my Department will continue to discharge that function.
Is the Minister aware that the EC Commission is seeking the establishment of an independent regulator of national telephone monopolies? Is he further aware that Telecom Éireann are not subject to consumer law and that therefore it cannot be said, as he purports here, that the consumer is adequately protected?
As the Deputy will be aware, the remit of the Ombudsman has been extended to include Telecom Éireann and An Post and I believe with his additional resources that he will be more than able to oversee the consumers' interests.
Unfortunately, the Minister appears to have misheard my supplementary questions. Is it not the case that there is no liability under consumer law for Telecom Éireann and that therefore it is not true to say that consumers are being protected? The Ombudsman is only used when settling disputes amicably. Secondly, is it not the case that the EC Commission is seeking the establishment of such a regulator and would the Minister not agree that it is no accident that no independent telecommunications services have emerged in this country because there are no fair trading regulations in place in respect of Telecom Éireann?
I want to make some appreciable progress on Question Time today. The questions being asked are far too long. I must ask for brevity and relevance.
I will attempt to meet your wishes, a Cheann Comhairle. The Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act does allow telecommunications services provided by Telecom Éireann to be checked outside the State, not within the State. The Ombudsman acts within the State. I am aware that the EC has its own views on this matter and I intend to talk to the Minister for Industry and Commerce about this matter because, as the Deputy will be aware, the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act is the responsibility of the Minister for Industry and Commerce. I am going to take another look at that matter.
May I ask a very brief supplementary question?
A very brief question.
In the hub of activity I did not get an opportunity to congratulate the Minister on his elevation to the Department of Industry and Commerce along with the Department of Communications. I would also like to congratulate Deputy Michael Smith who I know has good experience of this area and will be well able to cope with the pile of files on his desk.
I intend to look at that matter now that I have been appointed Minister for Industry and Commerce.