Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 25 Mar 1999

Vol. 502 No. 5

Written Answers. - Cable Television Services.

Richard Bruton

Question:

58 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she has satisfied herself that cable companies who enjoy local monopolies for their services are not engaging in excessive pricing to consumers; the special provisions, if any, she will put in place to protect consumers from overcharging in the context of the privatisation of Cablelink; her views on whether there is a direct conflict of interest between the shareholders desire to get maximum value for the asset and the protection of consumers from excessive pricing; and the role the independent regulator will have in the handling of the proposed sale. [8663/99]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

Control of the prices charged by cable TV companies is a matter for the Director of Telecommunications Regulation. The director has recently submitted to me for my consent draft regulations to provide for new licences with revised terms and conditions to be issued to the cable and MMDS companies. These regulations will provide for the continued control by the director of prices charged by the licensees. I am currently considering these regulations. The price control provisions will apply irrespective of the ownership or any change of ownership of any of the licensees, including Cablelink. The director has no role in relation to the sale of Cablelink. However, any assignment or transfer of the benefits of a licence to another person is subject to the director's consent.