Vol. 564 No. 1
207 Mr. Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the steps he intends to take to ensure that people in Black Valley, Killarney, County Kerry, have a proper telephone and Internet service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8698/03]
208 Mr. Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the steps he intends to take to ensure that people in Blackwater, Killarney, County Kerry, have a proper telephone and Internet service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8699/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 207 and 208 together.
Under the European Communities (Voice Telephony and Universal Service) Regulations 1999, Eircom has a universal service obligation requiring it to meet all reasonable requests for connection to the fixed public telephone network at a fixed location for access to fixed public telephone services and to supply such services at an affordable price. A basic phone connection enables normal-speed dial-up Internet access. The responsibility for monitoring compliance with the universal service obligation is a matter for the Commission for Communications Regulation and I have no function in the matter.
