Denis Naughten
Question:21 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Public Enterprise her proposals to improve competition in the telecommunications market; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24324/01]
Written Answers. - Telecommunications Services.
The telecommunications market in Ireland has been fully liberalised from December 1998 and competition has been developing since then. To facilitate competition, a regulatory regime, supervised by the Director of Telecommunications Regulation, is in place. This regime, which is in line with a framework adopted at EU level, involves the imposition of specified obligations on telecommunications operators which have been designated by the director as having significant market power in the voice telephony, leased lines, mobile and interconnection markets. This regime exists side by side with and supplements competition law which applies to all sectors of the economy.
Earlier this year I submitted legislative proposals to Government to improve the effectiveness of the regulatory framework in promoting competition, investment and innovation in the telecommunications sector. This Bill, the Communications (Regulation) Bill, is currently being drafted by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to the Government.