Vol. 416 No. 3
84 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if she proposes to set up a regulatory body for the telecommunications industry which would help release the potential of the market and bring it into line with European thinking and aspirations for the development of communications.
At present regulatory functions in regard to telecommunications are carried out by my Department.
The Commission of the European Communities is currently pursuing a policy of gradual liberalisation of telecommunications markets and the measures adopted to date, along with the further proposals now being considered, will require much regulation by member states of their telecommunications markets.
In the light of these EC developments it may be that there is a need for the setting up of a body, separate from my Department, to regulate the telecommunications industry in Ireland. The cost of establishing and operating such a body would, judging by the experience of other countries, be an inhibiting factor but I am keeping the need for the setting up of such a body under review.
