Richard Bruton
Ceist:136 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications whether an examination has been carried out into the cost structure of Cablelink which is the basis for levying charges to their subscribers.
Written Answers. - Cable Companies' Charges.
All cable companies must, under the terms of their licences, obtain the consent of the Minister for their charges for the basic service supplied. Price increase applications submitted to my Department by all cable companies, including Cablelink, are carefully examined before any increase is granted. Matters taken into account in determining a price increase include the interests of subscribers, the rate of inflation, profits, capital investment in the system, projected investment in the system, the age of the system, any new cost incurred by the licensee and copyright charges.
MMDS charges are not subject to prior ministerial approval. Under the relevant Regulations the Minister has power to investigate the charges being applied by an operator and, if considered warranted, and subject to independent arbitration if sought by the operator concerned, may direct that an operator's charges be altered. No such investigation is contemplated at present.