Vol. 535 No. 1
169 Mr. Lawlor asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the status of the Communications Bill and the earliest date on which its provisions will be implemented, in view of the serious concerns regarding the potential loss of employment in an indigenous mobile communications company (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11725/01]
The general scheme of the Communications (Regulation) Bill was approved by the Government in March 2001 and has now been sent to the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel for drafting. Drafting will be completed over the coming months and the Bill will then be resubmitted for Government approval to publish as the Communications (Regulation) Bill, 2001. It is my intention to seek priority in the drafting of the Bill and to publish it this summer.
With regard to the situation regarding operational difficulties on the part of the specified mobile communications company, this is an issue which comes within the remit of the Director of Telecommunications Regulation, and which is being dealt with by her office.
