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Telecommunications Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 December 2020

Tuesday, 1 December 2020

Questions (155)

Michael McNamara

Question:

155. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to provide additional resources or statutory powers to the Commission for Communications Regulation to deal with telecommunications, in particular in regard to a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39926/20]

View answer

Written answers

Telecommunications service providers are regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), which operates independently of my Department.

ComReg currently has a suite of enforcement and sanction powers available to it in regulating the telecommunications sector. Transposition of the European Electronic Communications Code, a new European regulatory framework will include, inter alia, certain additional provisions relating to strengthening end user rights.

In delivering its mandate, ComReg currently has a significant team working on customer facing issues and has a high degree of transparency in relation to its work in this area, including providing information on its website which is available at www.comreg.ie/queries-complaints/broadband-phone/eir-consumer-care/. The regulator continues to actively use its statutory powers to assist affected customers in resolving their complaints, and to exert pressure on any service providers, including the company referred to in the Question, which fail to meet adequate standards of customer care, in order to ensure matters are improved.

ComReg is also currently considering whether it would be possible to place additional obligations on service providers and it will discuss with my Department whether additional measures are needed. This includes consideration of what, if any, further legislative or non-legislative changes that may be necessary and appropriate.

The Regulator currently has a sanctioned ceiling of 147 staff, having been granted a substantial increase in resourcing in 2018, to properly equip ComReg to oversee an expanded robust regulatory framework and to deliver on regulatory requirements. There is on-going dialogue with ComReg as the sector evolves, with a view to ensuring that it can continue to fully meet current and future challenges in delivering on its broader statutory and regulatory remit. A business case for additional staff resources is also being assessed in my department.

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