Jim O'Keeffe
Ceist:92 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Public Enterprise her views on the case for the standardisation of charges for public services, in particular phone and electricity charges. [22679/98]
Written Answers. - Utility Charges.
I would refer the Deputy to the answers I gave to Questions Nos. 42 on 24 February 1998 and 272 on 30 September 1998.
As indicated previously, 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.
In the case of Telecom Éireann, charges are governed by the price cap arrangement in section 7 of the Telecommunications (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1996. The detailed compliance with the price cap is a day to day matter for Telecom Éireann, but is subject to verification by the Director of Telecommunications Regulation. However, I am pleased to record that Telecom Éireann has introduced a single long distance rate for Ireland with effect from 21 October which reduces charges in some cases by up to 33 per cent.
Furthermore, I expect price competition to intensify further when the full liberalisation of the sector takes place from 1 December 1998.