Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 17 Feb 1994

Vol. 439 No. 1

Written Answers. - New Telephone Charges.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

54 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the first report of the Telephone Users Advisory Group which found that the new phone charges are more likely to adversely affect poorer members of society; if he intends any rebalancing of the price structure to take account of this; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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

I received the first report of the Telephone User's Advisory Group on 21 January 1994. The group concluded and I quote "residential customers in areas of high unemployment have the smallest decreases on bills". The emphasis I want to put is on the "decrease" which cannot accurately be described as an adverse effect.