Vol. 454 No. 7
6 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the steps, if any, being taken to comply with EU competition proposals in the transport, energy and communications industries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11467/95]
European Union competition proposals in the transport, energy and communications sectors have, in general, been supported by my Department and where EU legislation has been adopted we have implemented the respective measures.
In the case of transport, the competitive Single Market in air transport came into effect from 1 January 1993 and Irish national law has been amended, where necessary, to take full account of the conditions laid down. European Union legislation in respect of land transport is also being complied with.
Of particular interest to Ireland at present are proposals for liberalisation in the energy and telecommunications sectors.
The energy sector draft Council directives concerning common rules for the internal market in electricity and gas are currently under discussion. Ireland, represented by my Department, is involved in all the discussions. Recent councils have established some basic principles in relation to the introduction of a single electricity market in Europe but agreement is still outstanding on a number of key issues. We are endeavouring to influence the debate in regard to the special requirements of a small electricity system such as we have in Ireland. In anticipation of liberalisation in the electricity sector, the Government has decided a number of measures to restructure the ESB for it to remain competitive and indeed prosper in a liberalised market.
The draft Council directive on natural gas will be considered after the electricity directive has been agreed. A consultation process is already under way by my Department with a number of relevant bodies to formulate a position for Ireland on the gas directive. This matter is being handled directly by Minister of State Stagg.
The thrust of EU competition proposals for the telecommunications sector is to put in place legal instruments which will support the development of efficient competition within a transparent regulatory framework. This includes the establishment of a national regulatory authority to manage the licensing function and to arbitrate, where necessary, between market players. My Department has commissioned international consultants, Andersen Management International, to advise on the appropriate institutional arrangements and powers of the regulatory authority. Further EU proposals will emerge from the council resolution on the implementation of the future regulatory framework for telecommunications adopted at the Telecommunications Council on 13 June 1995. My Department will contribute to the development of the necessary instruments at Community level and will ensure that the necessary arrangements are made for transposition to Irish law.
European Union proposals for liberalisation of the postal sector are expected to be circulated shortly to member states. Against that background I recently announced that I had requested the chairman of An Post to undertake a fundamental review of the postal services to be in a position to meet increasing competition which will arise from the EU Commission's emerging policies on postal liberalisation.
I commend the Minister on his commitment to the liberalisation of these important sectors of our economy. Will the Minister indicate the stage legislation is at and when we are likely to see legislative changes arising from the Government's commitment?
There is a number of directives under discussion and we are putting the Irish position forward. Obviously where decisions have been taken we have taken the necessary steps at home. In areas under active discussion in the Commission and Council we are participating and putting forward our point of view as a peripheral nation and having regard to the peculiarities and problems that affect Ireland more than any other nation. As soon as agreement has been reached and our position has been acknowledged we will be in a position to prepare the necessary legislation and bring it forward at the earliest possible date.
