Vol. 559 No. 5
111 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the recent decision to reduce the margin on e-top up cards and to the fact that this 3.5% reduction is costing small businesses ?3,000 a year; and if she will examine the Competition Act, 2002, to determine if assistance can be given to small businesses. [26644/02]
I am aware from representations which I have received and from media reports of the reduction in commission to selling agents of mobile phone top-ups. Negotiation of terms is a matter for the parties concerned in any business transaction subject of course to abiding with any statutory requirements which may be in place. A number of complaints relating to this matter have been investigated by the Competition Authority which concluded that no breach of the Competition Act had been disclosed. I understand that the authority is continuing to monitor activity in the sector in order to ensure compliance with the Act and promote competitive behaviour in the telecommunications sector.
