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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 24 Feb 1998

Vol. 487 No. 6

Written Answers - Utility Charges.

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

42 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Public Enterprise whether she supports the principle of uniform charges throughout the country for services such as telecommunications; and if she will introduce the necessary legislation to achieve this. [4718/98]

There is a general commitment in An Action Plan for the Millennium to the equalisation of utility charges as between urban and rural areas which I, of course, support. This commitment extends beyond my remit.

Within my areas of responsibility there is already a significant degree of uniform charging, for example in the case of electricity, gas and postal charges.

The question of the future of Telecom Éireann's charges is set down in the price cap arrangement in section 7 of the Telecommunications (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1996. I am quite satisfied with these arrangements.

The detailed compliance with the price cap is, of course, a day to day matter for Telecom Éireann, but it is subject to verification by the Director of Telecommunications Regulaton.

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