Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 May 2017
555. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if it is legal for companies to operate without providing email and phone contact details for their customer, with specific reference to the large telecommunication companies operating here providing phone, broadband and television services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25305/17]
View answerRegulation 27 of the European Communities (Electronic Communications Networks and Services) (Universal Service and Users’ Rights) Regulations (SI 337 /2011) obliges all providers of electronic communications networks and services to adopt and implement a code of practice for settling unresolved disputes with customers including complaints. The code must also set out the first point of contact for complainants.
Under Section 4 (1) of the European Communities (Electronic Communications Networks and Services) (Authorisation) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 335 of 2011), any person intending to provide an electronic communications network or service shall, before doing so, notify the Regulator of his intention to provide such a service. The Authorised Person must comply with all decisions, determinations, requirements, specifications, notifications and directions issued by the Commission in relation to End-User interests and rights pursuant to the Universal Service Regulations. I have been advised by ComReg that it has recently consulted in accordance with the Universal Services Regulation and that the measures it proposed includes further specification of minimum contact details in service providers’ codes of practice.
In addition, there are various provisions set out in general consumer legislation which impose obligations, not exclusively directed to telephone and broadband services and therefore not specifically regulated by ComReg, or in respect of which ComReg is not the exclusive regulator, relating to the provision of information, including contact details, by the providers of services, including telephone and broadband services.
ComReg is independent in the exercise of its functions and is accountable "for the performance of its functions to a Committee of one or both Houses of the Oireachtas" as provided for in Section 34 (2) of the Communications Regulations Act 2002 as amended.
Therefore, I have no statutory function in the matter raised.
