Telecommunications Services.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 July 2006

Wednesday, 5 July 2006

Ceisteanna (120, 121)

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

121 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will provide information on reports that the European Commission’s proposals on tackling roaming fees imposed on mobile phone users have been watered down; the measures the Government brought forward at the European level in this regard; if he is examining measures to reduce the high level of termination charges that Irish mobile users face; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26644/06]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

As Minister for Communications, I have strongly supported Commissioner Reding's initiative to bring forward a Regulation on international roaming charges. High roaming charges are a barrier to communications across Europe and have a negative impact on the economic and social development of the Union and I have raised this issue at Council and the Taoiseach raised it also at the last Spring Council. The Commission has recently published detailed proposals on tackling international roaming charges, which I am currently studying. In regard to my response to the Commission's proposal, the overriding principle will be that this initiative results in real and tangible reductions in users' costs.

Roaming is also an important issue for Ireland in a North/South context, with operators introducing initiatives following discussions I had with my former Northern Ireland colleague, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Angela Smith M.P. and regulators from both jurisdictions.

Dan Boyle

Ceist:

122 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views on the recent incidents of successful legal challenges to the regulatory decisions of the Commission for Communications Regulation with regard to the opening up of both the fixed line and mobile phone network; the legal bill for the State in these two legal challenges; and the changes which are proposed to be made to the regulatory or appeal processes as a result of these recent decisions. [26592/06]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

Matters arising from the outcome of appeals of regulatory decisions, including costs, are primarily a matter for ComReg, which is independent in the exercise of its functions under the provisions of the Communications Regulation Act 2002. However, as part of my overall policy-making role for the telecommunications sector, I keep the operations of all the bodies under the aegis of my Department under review and where improvements are necessary, to develop the overall environment in which the sector operates, they will be made.