Vol. 536 No. 1
74 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the extent to which progress has been made in the telecommunications industry with particular reference to the need to achieve state-of-the-art standards in terms of modern competition requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13461/01]
The telecommunications market in Ireland was fully liberalised with effect from 1 December, 1998 and competition is developing among operators in the market.
In July 2000 the European Commission adopted a package of legislative proposals designed to strengthen competition in the electronic communications markets in the EU for the benefit of consumers and European economy. This package of proposals represents a comprehensive reform of the regulatory framework for telecommunications in Europe and is aimed at providing the best conditions for a dynamic and competitive industry in Europe. Negotiations on the five new draft directives are ongoing between the European Council, the Commission and the member states with a view to reaching a consensus by year-end.
Operators in Ireland apply technical standards developed by the industry in co-operation with international bodies such as ETSI, the European Telecommunications Standards Institute. Relevant technical standards are also applied at EU level and are harmonised across the Community under existing EU directives. My Department is also close to finalising the transposition of a directive on radio and telecommunications terminal equipment, which provides for a new lighter regime governing the placing on the market within the EU of telecommunications and radio equipment and the assessment of the conformity of the equipment with relevant standards.
As well as these developments my Department is providing support under the national development plan for further investment in the sector. The level of progress I have outlined should ensure that Ireland is well positioned with regard to the implementation of the latest technical and regulatory standards as and when they become available.
