I hope to be in a position to publish the Telecommunications (Infrastructure) Bill in the near future.
With regard to the sharing of telecommunications masts by mobile phone operators, Esat Digifone and Eircell have recently entered into negotiations on mast sharing and sharing agreements have already been finalised for a number of masts.
With regard to the Deputy's query on the possibility of mandatory mast sharing, the Interconnection Regulations, SI No. 15 of 1998, which I signed into law earlier this year, promotes infrastructure sharing by establishing a dispute resolution procedure under which operators may request the Director of Telecommunications Regulation to intervene to resolve disputes over infrastructure sharing agreements. The director may in any intervention impose mandatory sharing if this is deemed appropriate in the circumstances.
Proposals for infrastructure sharing have been included in the Telecommunications (Infrastructure) Bill. The final decision on the contents of the Bill will be made in consultation with my Cabinet colleagues.