Mr. Kevin O'Brien:

I thank the Chairman and members of the joint committee for the opportunity to appear before them today to discuss the specifics of the broadband markets and mobile coverage in Ireland. I am happy to meet with some of the committee's new members for the first time. As mentioned by the Chairman, I am joined today by my colleagues, Commissioner Jeremy Godfrey and Mr. George Merrigan, who is director of the market framework division in ComReg. While ComReg obviously is an independent regulatory body with a statutory mandate, we work closely with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. I am hopeful that the presence of both the regulator and the Department here today will be helpful to members in discussing developments in the communications market in Ireland. We are happy to answer any questions members may have about the matters raised and look forward to the discussion. We have prepared a presentation on the key developments in the broadband and mobile markets and I believe this has been made available to members. It also will be displayed on the screens. I had intended to mention later on how the consumer today is using applications that industry develops for us all the time. Just last night, I downloaded the Houses of the Oireachtas app to my phone and so I believe this is a place that very much is availing of the modern technologies that obviously we wish to bring to the benefit of all consumers.

I will begin with an overview of ComReg. As members are aware, ComReg is the national regulatory authority for the electronic communications and postal sectors and was established in 2002. We manage Ireland's radio-frequency spectrum and the national numbering resource and we regulate premium rate services and the emergency call answering service, among other activities. We focus on ensuring that users derive maximum benefit in terms of choice, price and quality and that there is no distortion or restriction in competition in the electronic communications sector. We seek to ensure that radio spectrum is used efficiently and effectively in meeting both economic and social objectives. We seek to ensure that efficient investment in infrastructure occurs and that innovation is promoted. The way in which we regulate is very much defined in European and Irish law, with a significant role played by the European Commission under the directives. In this regard, ComReg implements evidence-based regulatory measures to stimulate competition and to drive investment in particular areas such as the broadband market. It is important to note that we do not direct operators in the marketplace and nor do we approve operator budgets. Rather, we act as a referee to attempt to ensure a fair and competitive marketplace.