Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 October 2004
19 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will list those appointed as members of the Electronic Communications Appeals Panel; the rate of remuneration that will apply to members of the panel; if he has satisfied himself that all those appointed have technical, economic, regulatory or other financial experience as set out in the regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25667/04]
View answerThe Electronic Communications Appeals Panel was established on 21 September 2004 under the provisions of SI No. 307 of 2003, the European Communities (Electronic Communications Networks and Services) (Framework Regulations 2003. This statutory instrument provides for the establishment and operation of an independent appeal panel to hear and determine appeals of decisions made by the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg.
Four panel members were appointed from whom three can be drawn to serve on and determine each appeal. These include: Mr. Hugh Mohan, Senior Counsel and Chairman of the Bar Council, who was appointed as chairman of the Electronic Communications Appeals Panel; Ms Margaret Heneghan, BL; Mr. Philip O'Brien BL; and Ms Catherine Woods BA.
I am fully satisfied that these appointments more than meet the regulation's requirements that at least one of the panel shall be a practising barrister or solicitor with at least seven years' experience and that the others shall have such commercial, technical, economic, regulatory or financial experience as I, as Minister, consider appropriate. I am delighted that persons of such high ability are willing to perform this task, as the appeals panel will play an important role in speeding up and simplifying the appeals process, and that this will benefit both the industry and consumers.
A sliding scale of fees for the panel members was agreed with the Department of Finance, which provides for payment of €825 for the first ten days, €650 for the next ten days and €500 for any remaining days.
