Vol. 482 No. 6
131 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the framework within which there will be transparency of pricing by Telecom Éireann to other users of their national telecommunications network for all forms of voice telephony. [18581/97]
The provision of voice telephony services as defined in EU legislation will remain within the exclusive privilege of Telecom Éireann up to 1 January 2000 in accordance with the timetable for liberalisation of the telecommunications sector in Ireland agreed with the European Commission in accordance with EU Directive 96/19/EC.
In terms of access to Telecom Éireann's network, the legal framework is set out primarily in the EU Directive (97/33/EC) dealing inter alia, with interconnection of networks.
This directive provides that telecommunications service providers have a right to negotiate interconnection arrangements on a non-discriminatory basis and at transparent and cost-orientated charges. Dominant operators are also required to put in place a cost accounting system in order to ensure that these requirements are complied with.
The transportation of this directive into Irish law will be completed before 31 December 1997 as required by the directive. The provisions of the directive will apply only to interconnection for the provisions of services other than voice telephony until 1 January 2000 when full liberalisation of the market will be implemented.
