I propose to take Questions Nos. 255 and 256 together.
In common with other Deputies, I understand the importance of citizens and businesses having access to a high quality mobile telephone service with coverage across the country. The responsibility for achieving this rests with the mobile phone operators, which are regulated by ComReg. While I am responsible for setting policy in the telecommunications sector, the key role on the ground of ensuring the operators provide quality signals and satisfactory signal coverage rests with ComReg. My officials are in regular communication with ComReg on a variety of issues. However, the specific issues that the Deputy raises are the responsibility of ComReg to regulate. The Irish mobile penetration rate now stands at 88%, with approximately 3.5 million mobile subscribers at the end of March 2004. The average European Union mobile penetration rate is just above 80%.