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Dáil Éireann - Volume 494 - 30 September, 1998 Written Answers - Telecommunications Regulations. Mr. Gormley Mr. Gormley 227. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Public Enterprise her views on whether Cablelink, when privatised, will be in a position to use its cable system to provide Internet access to subscribers and consumers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17229/98] Mr. Gormley Mr. Gormley 230. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Public Enterprise whether it is the policy of her Department to provide the necessary authorisation to allow Cablelink to offer full telephony, e-mail and Internet access services to its 300,000 customers in Dublin, Galway and Waterford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17233/98] Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs O'Rourke) Mary O'Rourke Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs O'Rourke): I propose taking Questions Nos. 227 and 230 together. The Director of Telecommunications Regulation is responsible for the issuing of licences for both telecommunications infrastructure and service provision. I have no function in the granting of such licences to Cablelink. It is the Government's policy that the Cablelink system should be upgraded as a platform for the provision of a full range of multimedia services, including full telephony services. The necessary investment for this upgrading will be raised by the sale of Cablelink. Cablelink is set to become a strong competitor in the high growth telephony and multimedia market in Ireland and recently announced its plans to introduce a high speed Internet service. Mr. Gormley Mr. Gormley 228. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Public Enterprise whether she anticipates that the telecommunications joint initiative involving the British BT company and the ESB will result in bringing down both electricity and telephony prices to the consumer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17230/98] Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs O'Rourke) Mary O'Rourke 391 Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs O'Rourke): In entering the telecommunications business, through its joint venture with BT, ESB is seeking to capitalise on the commercial opportunities presented by the new market opening and to utlise its assets to the best advantage of the [391] company and its electricity customers. The Government's decision to accelerate the opening of the telecommunications market to full competition will bring significant benefit to consumers. Ocean — the joint venture between ESB and BT - has publicly stated that it will bring choice of international connectivity and price competitiveness to Irish telecommunications customers. It will also provide a range of data and voice services for business and residential customers which should bring both price benefits and new services. Dáil Éireann 494 Written Answers Telecommunications Regulations. Questions 19980930
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