Vol. 472 No. 5
88 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications whether the early opening of the closed-user network was anticipated in the deal negotiated in the summer with the Swedish and Dutch consortium and Telecom Éireann. [23624/96]
It is assumed the Deputy is referring to the effect of the recent Commission decision on Ireland's derogation which is that non-reserved services could from July, 1997 be carried over alternative telecommunications networks in accordance with E.U. directives on liberalisation. In fact the provision of services between members of closed user groups has been possible since the adoption of the European Communities (Telecommunications Services) Regulations, 1992 (S.I. No. 45/92).
