Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the presentation from ComReg. I am much happier on this occasion than the previous time representatives from the commission appeared before us. The witnesses have indicated a recognition that there is a very considerable level of dysfunction in the coverage in certain parts of the country, particularly but not exclusively in rural areas. I know of places in Dublin where, because of topography, trees and so on, there are very significant issues with coverage. At least it is clear from its strategy and its statements that ComReg is very cognisant of that fact. Obviously, the issue now is how it succeeds in encouraging or forcing its vision on the contractors.

My first question is for Mr. Fahy, who spoke about the spectrum auction and about urban and rural service provision. In terms of mobile coverage in particular, what is the land area requirement on the mobile phone operators for this spectrum?