Vol. 463 No. 3
416 Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the policy being pursued by ESAT with regard to the servicing of calls via leased lines and re-routers; his views on whether such a practice is in contravention of the monopoly assured to Telecom Éireann until the year 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6545/96]
ESAT holds a licence under the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act, 1983, as amended, to provide telecommunications services that do not infringe the exclusive statutory privilege of Telecom Éireann with regard to the provision of voice telephony as defined in the EU Telecommunications Services Directive and in national legislation.
Where the company employs leased lines to connect its customers to its trunk and international network all telecommunications services including voice services are permitted. I have taken no final decision as to the suitability of providing voice services by other means.
