Vol. 471 No. 6
143 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the anticipated date of the next stage of signing the agreement to sell the 20 per cent stake in Telecom Éireann; and if he will give precise dates for the next stages of the process. [21405/96]
Before the strategic alliance agreement between Telecom Éireann and the KPN/Telia consortium can take effect, a number of closing conditions must be satisfied. The main closing conditions are the enactment of the Telecommunications (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, 1996 and clearance by the European Commission of the alliance from a competition viewpoint. Work is in progress with a view to fulfilment of the closing conditions as soon as possible. However, as the timing of the fulfilment of some of the closing conditions is not within my control, it is not possible at this stage to give a precise indication of the likely closing date.
