Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Dec 1997

Vol. 485 No. 2

Written Answers. - Internet Charges.

Liz McManus

Question:

19 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the steps, if any, she will take to promote lower communications charges in order to facilitate the further development of the Internet in view of her speech at the opening of the Internet Show at the RDS on 21 November 1997. [22723/97]

Minister of State at the Department of Public Enterprise (Mr. Jacob)

The charges made by Telecom Éireann for access to the Internet are a matter for the company to determine and one in which I have no function. The level of such charges is one to be determined by the company within the parameters of the Telecommunications Tariff Regulation Order, which was made on 16 December 1996, in accordance with section 7 of the Telecommunications (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1996.

Nevertheless, I recognise fully the importance of competitive communications charges for the development of advanced technologies like the Internet. The Deputy will no doubt be aware that as part of a recent price reduction package worth £43 million, Telecom Éireann reduced its charges for ISDN data calls. I was glad to see that Telecom Éireann identified this area as a priority. At present 90-95 per cent of businesses in Ireland can gain access to the ISDN service and this recent reduction should facilitate and encourage the take-up and further use of advanced technologies, including access to the Internet.

I am hopeful that Telecom Éireann will look at providing specific arrangements for Internet access that will provide reduced rates which will, in turn, encourage far greater use of the Internet. I am strongly of the view that widespread usage of the Internet will become an absolute necessity for business to succeed in the future and I hope to see Telecom Éireann reducing its charges in this area to facilitate business.