Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the delegation for its presentation. I very much welcome any measures that will improve service and value for money offered to consumers. However, we need to look at the logistical workings of how it can be achieved. My main concern about this measure is that we are on the periphery. In Ireland, rural areas often have to fight for service provision. One can imagine that Ireland would be in a similar position in a single European market. Rural areas would then find themselves down to a third tier, rather than the second tier they are currently in.

I am also concerned about the timing of this measure, which is far from ideal. In the new year, many MEPs will be more focused on their re-election campaigns. Will this measure get the scrutiny it deserves at the European Parliament? How much public consultation with consumers and other players in this area was conducted? Was it entered into in any meaningful way? Have the unintended consequences of this measure been analysed?

I would be very slow to endorse any further erosion of control of our own matters. This is an important area. The revenue-raising potential of auctioning the spectrum for the State was referred to earlier and a figure of €850 million was mentioned. We need to protect this and act cautiously on any proposals to change it. This measure deserves total scrutiny from the committee and should be examined by other bodies of the Oireachtas too.