Mary Wallace
Ceist:221 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if he will ensure that people with disabilities are represented on the Telephone Users Council. [23848/96]
Written Answers. - Telephone Users Council.
The functions of the Telecommunications Service Users Council were taken over by the Ombudsman under the Ombudsman Act (First Schedule) (Amendment) Order, 1984. Sections 48 and 49 of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act, 1983, which gave statutory effect to the users council, were repealed by section 3 and the Second Schedule of the Restrictive Practices (Amendment) Act, 1987. A different group, the Telephone Users Advisory Group, was established in September 1993 on a non-statutory basis to carry out independent monitoring of the impact of the Telecom Éireann price rebalancing package which was introduced on 1 September 1993 and to assess future trends in tariffs. In response to a request from the chairman of the group to broaden that group's terms of reference, the latter were revised in October last year to a more general monitoring and reporting role in relation to telecommunications tariffs and quality of service. The group's current terms of reference and its membership are appended.
From the outset, the group was limited in size to ensure effective working and it comprises representatives of industry and consumer groups. Given its terms of reference, details of which follow, I am satisfied that the Telephone Users Advisory Group as currently constituted can address any issues brought to its notice related to the quality of service to people with disabilities.
Terms of Reference for the Telephone Users Advisory Group
The Group should:
1. Carry out independent monitoring of the operation and impact on different groups and classes of consumers of telecommunications tariffs and report to the Minister thereon.
2. Assess the quality of service in the telecommunications sector for different groups and classes of consumers taking into account current and prospective technological developments and the quality of service available to users within the EU and elsewhere and report to the Minister thereon.
In discharging these functions the Group should: monitor developments in other tariff systems both in the EU and elsewhere and assess their relevance to the Irish situation; take account of market and technical developments in Ireland and elsewhere; ensure that recommendations made to the Minister on changes in tariffs should take account of the need to achieve an overall balance which will enable Telecom Éireann to maintain financial viability.
The Group may also; examine the general pattern and nature of any complaints made by customers concerning the operation of Telecom Éireann's tariffs; suggest how Telecom Éireann might deal with complaints of a general nature which customers may have; advise the Minister on any area where the Group believes general customer service by Telecom Éireann couldbe improved, including communication of information to customers.
The Group will determine its own procedures.
Telephone Users Advisory Group
Membership
|
Prof. Noel Whelan |
Vice-President and Dean |
|
(Chairman) |
University of Limerick |
|
Ms Joan Morrison |
Consumers' Association of Ireland |
|
Mr. Tommy McCabe |
Irish Business and Employers Confederation |
|
Mr. Tony McQuinn |
National Social Services Board |
|
Mr. Brian O'Sullivan |
Cornel Electronics |
|
Mr. Pat Walsh |
Forbairt |
|
Ms Monica Prendiville |
Irish Countrywomen's Association |
|
Independent Analyst |
Department of Finance |
|
Mr. Brian Lenehan |
|
|
Secretary |
Department of Transport, |
|
Mr. Paddy Campbell |
Energy and Communications |