Vol. 574 No. 1
143 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the situation whereby the remit of ComReg does not extend to the price or level of service provided by cable companies, such as a company (details supplied); if the remit of ComReg will be extended to cover these areas in view of the concerns of subscribers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26283/03]
On 21 July this year, four directives were transposed as part of the new European Communities regulatory package for electronic communications networks and services. The regulatory package is designed to bring European Community legislation on electronic communications into line with the farreaching changes, including technological convergence, taking place in the telecommunications, media and information technologies sectors; strengthen competition in the electronic communications markets in the EU and simplify and clarify the current complex regulatory framework by reducing the number of specific legal measures therein; provide a lighter regulatory touch in those cases where markets have become more competitive, while attempting to ensure that a minimum of services is available to all users at an affordable price and that the basic rights of consumers continue to be protected.
As a consequence of the definitions in the regulatory package, cable operators are no longer subject to regulation by the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, in the areas of price, transparency, publication of information and quality of services. My Department is preparing draft heads of a Bill to deal with some of these issues as a matter of urgency.
Question No. 144 answered with Question No. 142.
