I have no function in the direct provision of broadband services to customers. This is a contractual matter between the service provider and their customer.
The provision of electronic communications services including broadband, is primarily a matter for private sector operators. Statutory responsibility for the regulation of telecommunications operators including regulatory issues surrounding the quality of services, rests with the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), which acts independently in the exercise of its functions.
In cases where people have complaints against their service providers, it would be normal that they would take the matter up with their service provider in the first instance.
ComReg will normally only deal with a complaint from individuals once they have exhausted the complaints procedure with their service providers. In this event ComReg could examine whether the service provider acted appropriately in accordance with regulatory requirements.
ComReg have stated that they have not received any significant number of complaints from the North Tipperary area over the last six months.
In relation to ComReg's enforcement powers, the Deputy may be aware that these were substantially enhanced by the Communications Regulation (Amendment) Act 2007 including:
The creation of new summary, indictable and continuing offences for breaches by operators of obligations imposed by ComReg;
Conferring on ComReg, competition law powers, to allow it to investigate and prosecute anti-competitive behaviour or abuse of dominance in the electronic communications sector; and
Providing ComReg with increased information gathering powers and power to investigate overcharging.
I have no plans at this juncture to further amend ComReg's enforcement powers.