Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chairman and welcome the ComReg representatives. On the last occasion the regulator was present, we were given a presentation that was written in gobbledygook, and I said that at the time. I compliment Mr. O'Brien on using understandable English for the layman on this occasion.

I am concerned about the answer to the Chairman's question. Rural people have contacted us stating telecommunications services can be offered at a charge above the rental price for the urban market. The purpose of this meeting is to obtain a very clear "Yes" or "No" answer in that regard. If memory serves me correctly, Regulation No. 41 of 2001, written by ComReg, gave the opportunity for bundles to be sold at a lower rate to urban centres with large populations than to rural dwellers. Does the regulation allow Eircom services to be offered to rural dwellers at a higher rate than the rate at which they are offered to urban dwellers?

Mr. O'Brien stated that line rental charges must be universal, but that is not the practice. Organisations representing rural communities have contacted all Oireachtas Members asking that this be highlighted. It was highlighted by some of the organisations representing rural communities nationally. Is there a regulation allowing a higher price to be charged to rural dwellers as opposed to urban dwellers?

Is it the practice, as I believe it to be, that they are being charged a premium rate, as opposed to the urban dwellers? Is some other regulation available ? In response to the Chairman's question, Mr. O'Brien outlined there was a market, that ComReg has a specific universal regulation and then it is changed when it goes from wholesale to retail and so forth. Is something in place that clearly gives evidence that rural dwellers are being charged a higher rate than their urban counterparts?