Dáil Éireann - Volume 494 - 30 September, 1998

Written Answers - Telecommunications Regulations.

Mr. Gormley Mr. Gormley

224. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the policy measures, if any, she proposes to apply in order to secure free and open competition in the provision of the infrastructure needed to provided telephony, e-mail and Internet access services to business and domestic customers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17001/98]

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

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke): The provision of infrastructure for already liberalised services, such as e-mail and Internet access, was liberalised on 1 July 1997.

Full competition in the provision of infrastructure for all services, including voice telephony, will be introduced on 1 December 1998.

Mr. Gormley Mr. Gormley

225. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Public Enterprise her views on whether the ESB and Cablelink will be in a position to exercise a competitive advantage vis-à-vis Telecom Éireann in the provision of e-mail and Internet access services in view of the potential of cross-subsidisation in this area once the basic infrastructure is in place; her further views on whether this will distort the telecommunications market; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17003/98]

Mr. Gormley Mr. Gormley

229. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will give an overview of the relative competitive advantages and disadvantages enjoyed by the ESB with the British BT company, Cablelink and Telecom Éireann in the area of e-mail and Internet access provision to business and domestic subscribers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17232/98]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs O'Rourke) Mary O'Rourke

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs O'Rourke): I propose to take Questions Nos. 225 and 229 together.

The Director of Telecommunications Regulation has certain functions and powers in relation to the development of competition in the telecommunications sector, including powers to ensure that cross-subsidisation does not occur in the telecommunications sector.

Anti-competitive behaviour in the telecommunications sector also comes within the scope of the Competition Authority in accordance with the Competition Acts. The question of the relative competitive positions of the companies referred to by the Deputy is a matter for the companies themselves.

Dáil Éireann 494 Written Answers Telecommunications Regulations.

Questions

19980930