Vol. 434 No. 6
118 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if he will give the timescale for the establishment of the new independent telecommunications regulatory authority; the function of this authority compared to that of the Telephone Users Advisory Group; if either group will have the authority to review or amend the new tariff rebalancing package; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The first steps towards the possible establishment of an independent regulatory authority for the telecommunications industry have already been taken within my Department. We are currently separating those functions and issues on the one hand that sit properly with market regulation from those on the other that pertain exclusively to general policy making and as the shareholder in Telecom Éireann.
The Deputy will appreciate that this is an important policy initiative and it is vital that we adopt the correct formula. While I am anxious that we move forward as quickly as possible on this, I do not intend that it should be rushed, and the Deputy will understand that I am not yet in a position to give him a precise timescale.
The broad function of the independent regulatory authority will be to ensure that in the liberated market for telecommunications there is fair competition between the respective players, having regard both to the dominant position of Telecom Éireann and to its universal service obligations. It would be my intention that matters like the level of tariffs and quality of service will be considered an appropriate function of the new authority. Until such time as a regulatory authority is established, this function remains as my responsibility.
