Vol. 460 No. 5
94 Mr. B. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the number of complaints received regarding the granting of the mobile telephone licence; and if the US Ambassador expressed diplomatic concerns on behalf of the American bidder. [1672/96]
Of the six consortia that submitted applications for the GSM mobile telephone licence, three consortia or their members have sought further information about the basis on which their applications were not successful.
The US Embassy was in contact with my Department following the announcement of the outcome of the process. Four of the six cosortia which applied for the licence included US interests. The US Embassy is seeking, on behalf of all of the American interests, disclosure of the reasons why their applications were unsuccessful. This approach is based purely on the value of such information to the companies concerned for their own business reasons. Given the undertakings in relation to confidentiality built into competition, I am seeking legal advice on the question of whether and to what extent it is possible or appropriate to respond to unsuccessful applicants who have requested information on the assessment of their own applications.
