Vol. 502 No. 3
161 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if Telecom Eireann will provide a low cost payphone to its customers on low income who do not wish to pay their bill on a bi-monthly basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7709/99]
I have no function in relation to the suggestion made by the Deputy as this is an operational matter within the day-to-day responsibility of Telecom Éireann. However, the Deputy may wish to note that I will shortly be making regulations pursuant to an EU directive which will, among other things, put in place a framework for the imposition of universal service obligations in the fully liberalised telecommunications sector. The provisions relating to universal service obligations, which will be administered by the Director of Telecommunications Regulation, will include requirements relating to the affordability of the services concerned.
