Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 29 Oct 1992

Vol. 424 No. 6

Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Cost of International Telephone Calls.

Austin Currie

Ceist:

2 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if her attention has been drawn to the fact that recent international currency changes have intensified the competitive pressure on Irish exporters; and that, in this situation, Irish industry and business is being impeded by the cost of international telephone calls; the action, if any, she is taking to remove this burden, which is resulting in loss of jobs; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn

I have received proposals from Telecom Éireann for rebalancing of telephone charges including charges for international telephone calls. These proposals are at present under consideration.

Mr. Currie

The word "rebalancing" is one I would be careful with. I shall be interested to discover what that word means. The Government were so concerned about recent currency fluctuations that they introduced a £50 million market development fund. Would the Minister agree that because Ireland is the only island community not linked to continental Europe our telecommunications charges should ideally be the lowest in Europe? Our long distance telephone charges to Europe are 38 per cent above the EC average and its costs 44 per cent more for us to make a call to someone in the United States than for someone in the United States to call us. In this regard we are talking about jobs. Would the Minister agree that one of the Government's highest priorities — certainly until the past couple of days — has appeared to be the attraction and the creation of new jobs and that the reduction of telephone charges is a positive way in which that could be done?

Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn

It is a Government priority to create jobs. I accept the points made by Deputy Currie in relation to the high cost of international, cross channel and trunk call charges in Ireland. It is a result of that and because of the tremendous concern of the Government for job maintenance that I am examining urgently the proposals submitted to me by Telecom Éireann very recently. I intend to take a policy decision urgently, which will be put to the Government, in relation to those matters. Of the more than 1,072,000 customers of Telecom Éireann about 345,000 are business customers and I am very concerned about anything that might work to the disadvantage of those customers in the international market.

Mr. Currie

A Ceann Comhairle——

An Ceann Comhairle

I am sorry, Deputy, but I think you have had a fair innings.

Mr. Currie

Just one more question, please.

An Ceann Comhairle

It must be a very brief question.

Mr. Currie

Would the Minister explain to Telecom Éireann that it is in the best interests of the company themselves to do something about this problem in view of the fact that so many people, organisations and businesses are making arrangements to have telephone calls made from other countries to Ireland rather than from Ireland to other countries?

Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn

I do not think that either myself or Deputy Currie have to make that point to Telecom Éireann. The company have certainly taken that matter on board and it is as a result of their taking that matter on board that I have their proposals before me now.