Vol. 513 No. 1
193 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the plans, if any, she has to introduce a bonding scheme for companies supplying prepaid telephone call cards in view of the fact that some of these companies have gone out of business; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1059/00]
I understand that companies supplying prepaid telephone call cards do not need a telecommunications licence from the Director of Telecommunications Regulation where they do not operate any network facilities such as switch ing, routing, etc. In such cases the companies concerned have arrangements with telecommunications network operators for the operation of the calls using their call cards.
It is not clear whether there is any need for a bonding scheme suggested by the Deputy. In the event that any difficulties emerge the rights available to customers under consumer protection law will apply. The Director of Consumer Affairs is available to provide advice on those rights.
