Vol. 491 No. 6
105 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise whether she has satisfied herself as to the availability of competition in the provision of all types of telephone services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12914/98]
My fundamental concern is that competition in the Irish market work to the benefit of all consumers, be they residential or business, large or small.
Activity in the telecommunications sector in Ireland has risen very sharply in recent years driven by the twin forces of liberalisation of the sector and strong underlying growth in the economy generally.
The telecommunications market in Ireland comprises a series of different areas of service and infrastructure provision each of which is subject to varying levels of competition.
Some areas, such as value added services have been subject to competition for many years. Others such as mobile public services and telecommunications infrastructure have been liberalised more recently. In addition, certain areas of the sector are subject to constraints on the number of competitors imposed by radio spectrum constraints and others are not.
Only voice telephony and the provision of the underlying public network are still subject to a monopoly. My recent announcement of the ending of the derogation on voice telephony and public network infrastructure by the end of this year will accelerate competition in the provision of telecommunications services and infrastructure in the Irish market.
Over the past year I have focused on ensuring the transposition into Irish law of the EU framework for competition in telecommunications. The transposition of these measures has been a prerequisite for the development of a clear and level playing field for competition in Irish telecommunications.
I intend, in consultation with the Director of Telecommunications Regulation, to review the development of competition in the Irish market on an ongoing basis with a view to ensuring that all legislative and policy initiatives taken by me are aimed at ensuring the best possible deal for Irish consumers in the liberalised market.
