31 Jan 2012, 18:52
The Joint Committee on Communications, Natural Resources and Agriculture today met with representatives from the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg).
ComReg is the statutory body responsible for the regulation of the electronic communications sector, which include telecommunications and broadcasting, and the postal sector. Chairperson Alex Chisholm and Kevin O’Brien discussed their current work priorities, which focuses on protecting and informing consumers, promoting competition and fostering innovation.
Committee Chairman Andrew Doyle TD said: “Our meeting today concentrated heavily on the delivery of fixed and mobile broadband and Committee Members were keen that, as well as encouraging competition, the needs of the end user be central to Comreg’s work. Market competition alone might not address the lack of provision of high quality broadband services in rural areas.
“Funded by a 0.2% levy on the industry, ComReg’s structure is quite unique among statutory agencies. The Committee heard that ComReg can impose sanctions up to and including revoking a licence. The Committee is encouraged that all top five service providers have been subject to action and will focus on ensuring ComReg retains this independence.
“The Committee questioned the ComReg representatives on foot of a request from the Samaritans to introduce a pan-EU, free phone number for people in distress. The Committee heard that ComReg cannot force operators to reduce charges for the charity in question.
“Committee Members also discussed how best to curb roaming costs, not only overseas but also for users in border region.
“The Committee has been invited out to ComReg Headquarters, which we intend to accept in order to gain a first-hand insight into the operational side of the Commission.”
Ends
For further information contact:
Paul Hand,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 4484
M: +353 87 6949926
F: +3531 618 4551
paul.hand@oireachtas.ie
Committee Membership
Deputies
Tom Barry, Fine Gael
Michael Colreavy, Sinn Fein
Pat Deering, Fine Gael
Andrew Doyle, Fine Gael
Martin Ferris, Sinn Fein
Noel Harrington, Fine Gael
Martin Heydon, Fine Gael
Colm Keaveney, Labour Party
Mattie McGrath, Independent
Michael McNamara, Labour Party
Michael Moynihan, Fianna Fail
Éamon Ó Cuív, Fianna Fail
John O’Mahony, Fine Gael
Ann Phelan, Labour Party
Thomas Pringle, Independent
Senators
Michael Comiskey
Paschal Mooney
Pat O’Neill
Mary Ann O’Brien
Brian Ó Domhnaill
John Whelan