Vol. 491 No. 6
95 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the plans, if any, she has for the regulation of the transport, energy and communications sectors; whether she will have a single regulatory authority for these sectors or if single sectoral regulatory authorities are planned; the way in which she intends to achieve a coherent and consistent approach across the range of regulatory authorities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12662/98]
In answer to the Deputy's question a copy of a chapter from my Department's recently published strategy statement which outlines current thinking on the issue of regulation follows. As highlighted in this chapter the Department intends to complete a review of all regulatory issues identified therein. Upon completion of this review proposals will then be developed for consideration by the Minister in 1998.
As the Deputy will be aware, a regulator for telecommunications has already been established. The current EU Directive on Common Rules for the Development of the Internal Market of Community Postal Services and the improvement of quality of service requires member states to establish a national regulatory authority for the postal sector. The framework within which the national regulatory authority will operate is set out in the directive. The deadline for the transposition of this directive into Irish law is February, 1999.
A consultation document detailing legislative proposals for the implementation of the EU electricity directive was issued by my Department last month. The new arrangements provided for in the proposed legislation include the establishment of a independent regulatory authority for the electricity industry. In due course the remit of this authority may be extended to include the regulation of the gas sector when the gas directive comes to be implemented. The logic for having both industries regulated by the same body stems from the desire to have a coherent view taken of the regulation of the energy sector as a whole as a well as the relationship between the use of gas and electricity generation.
The long-term requirements for regulation of the transport sector are not yet fully apparent. However, developments such as emerging regulatory legislation at European level on airport ground handling services and airport charges and the possibility of further initiatives for public transport liberalisation may bring additional regulatory requirements. The question of regulation in these areas will be examined as necessary.
