Ms Mairead Cullen:

To return to some of the points made by Deputy Michael Colreavy, I echo the points Mr. Galvin has made about sharing, certainly from a mobile telephony perspective. There have been a number of developments in recent years with regard to commercial models that have facilitated sharing. In parallel, the technology has been evolving and this has enabled the solutions to become available to us to allow us to share in ways that were not previously possible. We are certainly considering more innovative solutions in this regard involving the operators. We are working with the authorities and various bodies that make assets available to us such as the NRA which has been mentioned, the RPA, NAMA and the OPW to ensure the industry is taking advantage of the infrastructure available to it for sharing.

On the question about the database and information available to customers and Deputies on network coverage, the relevant information is freely available. We all publish coverage maps for the various technologies, including 2G, 3G and 4G. We provide coverage data for data and voice services which are available through multiple channels. They are available on our Internet sites, the retail channels and at our care desks if customers ring us. The information we obtain from customers on coverage and problems they are having comprises the key input we use for the ongoing planning of the network.

Let me reiterate some of the points Mr. Galvin made about fibre and the rolling out of additional fibre and consider the question of whether it changes fundamentally the rules of the game. Vodafone and other partners have complemented what eircom has been doing with fibre in terms of other initiatives. Again, this is reflective of a very competitive marketplace. Vodafone has recently announced a joint venture with the ESB that will bring fibre to over 50 towns, the names of which have been announced. This is reflective of a strong marketplace in which we recognise the demand for services and the need for them to be available.

With regard to changing the rules, the same rules of competition still apply and the market is being served by the industry.