Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 26 Jan 1994

Vol. 437 No. 6

Written Answers. - White Paper on Growth, Competitiveness and Employment.

John Bruton

Question:

504 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications his views on the concern expressed by the Commission of the European Communities in its White Paper on Growth, Competitiveness and Employment, at the absence of telecommunication operators of a European stature in Europe, and at the non-existence of basic services at European level in the area of telecommunications, electronic mail and file transfer, remote access to databases and interactive image transmission services; and the action, if any, he proposes to take, in conjunction with his European partners, to remedy these deficiencies.

Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications (Mr. Cowen)

In this instance the White Paper is addressing pan-European problems which require pan-European solutions. It is difficult to disagree with the Commission's concerns as cited in the question.

The White Paper was discussed for the first time by the European Council at its meeting on 10-11 December 1993. At that meeting it was decided to establish a special group to prepare a report by the next meeting of the council on the specific measures to be taken into consideration by the Union and by member states in regard to the specific areas mentioned in the question. It is intended that the group's report will give rise to the consideration of an operational programme in this area by the council. Ireland will be represented on this group and I will be following its work closely.

Regarding the absence of telecommunications operators of European stature, developing alliances and merger among telecommunications operators within the union will have the effect of significiantly reducing fragmentation in the market as we approach the end of the century.

It should be noted that EURO-ISDN — Integrated Services Digital Network — and GSM — digital mobile telephony — have already been launched in Ireland. These services are being deployed on a European-wide basis.