Vol. 476 No. 5
263 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if he has agreed a date for the coming into operation of the second mobile phone licence; if a penalty clause has come into force in view of the fact that the second operator failed to meet the original start-up date; if so, the amount of the penalty; the person to whom it is paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7646/97]
I understand the formal launch event for the second mobile phone operator Esat Digifone is tomorrow, 20 March. While it continues to be true that the application for the licence is a confidential document, I can confirm at this stage that it, and consequently the licence, set out circumstances in which penalties become payable. A penalty of £1 million has been incurred in respect of failure to launch on time; this penalty is payable four months after the trigger event and will be paid to the Exchequer. The licensees accept their liability for this payment.
