Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 9 Nov 1999

Vol. 510 No. 3

Written Answers. - Internet Connections.

John Perry

Ceist:

135 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the plans, if any, she has for Internet regulation to ensure that statistics are kept and published and that the Internet user community can clearly see that they are being over-charged nationally for dropped connections; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22626/99]

John Perry

Ceist:

136 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Public Enterprise where regulatory responsibility rests for the quality of the connection service provided by Internet service providers; and if there is any regulatory responsibility in place. [22627/99]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 135 and 136 together.

I have no proposals relating to the introduction of legislation to regulate the gathering and publication of statistics relating to the Internet.

However, my Department is currently finalising arrangements for the establishment of a mar ket observatory to develop mechanisms to benchmark Ireland's progress and state of readiness in relation to telecommunications in comparison with international standards. This will complement other work being done by the Information Society Commission in relation to benchmarking Ireland's preparedness for the information society. The need for statistics on Internet related matters is one which I will ask to be considered by my Department. It is not clear that the availability of statistics on the Internet is such that the type of regulatory intervention suggested by the Deputy is required.

As regards connection to the Internet, telephone charges for dial-up Internet access are a matter for licensed public telecommunications operators providing such services. Such operators are obliged to publish information on their standard terms and conditions with regard to access and use of the public telephone network, including tariffs. This requirement is supervised by the Director of Telecommunications regulation.

The quality of Internet connection between Internet service providers and the Internet are matters for individual Internet service providers themselves.