Gay Mitchell
Ceist:23 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Communications if he intends allowing competition to Telecom Éireann.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Competition in Telecommunications.
Telecom Éireann already faces competition in the market for the supply of telecommunications terminal equipment. I propose to allow competition in the market for value-added voice and data services.
I do not propose to allow competition in the provision of public networks or in basic voice telephony and this position is in accord with EC directives in the telecommunications area. I have no plans at present to allow competition in the provision of other services — such as telex, mobile radio telephony — although the question of competition in these areas will be kept under review by me.
Bearing in mind that in other countries there are internal meters in the homes and offices of telephone users, not provided by Telecom Éireann, that Dublin consumers are not provided with anything other than the Dublin 01 telephone directory and that, if one happens to telephone Directory Inquiries, nine times out of ten, one will be answered by way of a recorded message there is strong justification for the whole country being in the one network — 01 or whatever other network. Would the Minister agree that the best way to deal with these problems, since Telecom Éireann are not prepared to deal with them themselves, is to allow competition to get Telecom Éireann on their toes and make them become more consumer-orientated?
On the contrary, I believe Telecom Éireann are a fine example of the semi-State structure. They have operated very efficiently and effectively. Their record in relation to the answering of faults and looking at the problems of the consumer is second to none. They have an excellent record. For example, the speed of repairs target is 85 per cent faults cleared in two working days and 100 per cent clear in five working days. It can be seen from the report that 80 per cent are being cleared within two working days and 98 per cent of faults are being cleared within five working days. In regard to meters under the staircase, we have a much more modern arrangement where itemised accounts can be made available to any consumer, any telephone subscriber, on request.
I believe one of the great successes of our State in the past decade has been the £1.8 billion that has been invested in the telecommunications system and the benefit that has brought to our country in service to the consumer both in the private sector in their homes and in the business sector. Many of the businesses we have we would not have today were it not for such progress and such efficient telecommunications.
I reject totally the Deputy's suggestion in relation to Directory Inquiries. I have had occasion to use it myself regularly and I find them most courteous and efficient. Of our semi-State sector Telecom Éireann are a flagship, one we can be very proud of in what they have achieved in the period since their establishment.
On a point of order, is it not time to move on to Justice questions?
It is.
This is the only day in this session when we have Justice questions and we are allowed two and a half minutes apart from Priority Questions. It is an absolutely ridiculous system.
I accept great progress has been made in Telecom and I challenge the Minister to come to the telephone with me now and see if we can get through to Directory Inquiries. Is he aware that 40 per cent of the Ombudsman's time is taken up dealing with complaints about Telecom Éireann and that in about half the cases he finds in favour of the complaint?
We must now proceed to other questions.
I must say the Deputy seems to spend a considerable amount of his time criticising our public services.
That is outrageous.
This public service company is, as I say, one of the flagships of our country.
Let us now come to deal with Question No. 38 to the Minister for Justice in the name of Deputy McCartan.
I presume the Minister is referring——
Please, Deputy Mitchell, desist.
——to my position as Chairman of the Committee of Public Accounts. I do not spend my time criticising. It is outrageous of him. It is a rude, ignorant comment for him to make. I asked him a civil question.
And the Deputy got a civil answer.
It is not a civil answer.