Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 27 Feb 2001

Vol. 531 No. 3

Written Answers. - EU Directives.

Liam Lawlor

Ceist:

121 Mr. Lawlor asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will provide information on the likely time scale for the adoption of a proposed EU Directive COM (2000) 392 on the matter of must-carry obligations placed upon cable and MMDS providers and the question of appropriate compensation on reasonable, transparent and non-discriminatory terms, taking into account the network capacity required; if she has set out her views to her EU counterparts on the way in which levels of compensation may be calculated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5446/01]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke):

The proposed EU Directive COM (2000) 392 on Universal Service and Users' Rights Relating to Electronic Communications Networks and Services is expected to be adopted during the course of 2001, in accordance with the e-Europe action plan. The draft directive is under discussion at present within the Council of Ministers working group. My Department is in consultation with the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands which has responsibility for broadcasting policy in relation to Ireland's approach to the provisions in question, as appropriate.