Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome our guests. I will begin with roaming charges, about which Mr. Fahy has spoken. The issue of roaming charges is very important for people who travel a lot. I represent Cavan-Monaghan and the issue of roaming charges is very important for people there. It is understood that there are 30,000 journeys across the Border every day so it is important in that context. There have been reports in the media recently that phone operators are attempting to circumvent the regulations - the new roaming rules. Is Mr. Fahy happy that this issue has been fully resolved? Do EU roaming rules mean that people can use their phones in other member states in a manner comparable to the way they are used at home? Can they have the same ease and assurances in terms of cost, etc.? Recent reports have suggested that all is not as it seems where data allowances are concerned, that there is a hidden charge there and that people are being penalised in that area.

Does Mr. Fahy agree that the area I represent, which is a microcosm of much of the country, has very uneven coverage for a combination of reasons with topography being a major one? Our towns and villages are quite good but our broadband access and coverage is poor in many rural areas. Does Mr. Fahy agree that this is the case? Does he agree that mobile phone services are erratic in parts of Cavan-Monaghan? I receive anecdotal evidence. People tell me that they cannot use their mobile phones in certain areas. Could Mr. Fahy tell us the steps ComReg is taking to ensure that we get a good service in rural communities? Could he assure us that he will work to go for land coverage rather than focusing totally on population centres and ensure that the various operators, notably Eir in this instance, meet their obligations in terms of people getting access?

What will be the immediate impact of assigning the spectrum on coverage and consumers, particularly those in rural areas? It is a reasonable proposition to say that people have the same need for broadband regardless of where they live. They use broadband on their mobile phones. It is a big issue for students in rural communities and local businesses. I do not have to go through the list but it is a very serious matter for many people. Can Mr. Fahy reassure us or give us any indication when the auction of the spectrum and the welcome announcement yesterday will result in better services? How will that manifest itself? When can the consumers who are watching this online be assured that they will get a better service as a consequence?

I know Mr. Fahy is not in the policy department but will the €78 million relating to this be ring-fenced for communications expenditure? I was concerned that the base stations might be in very large urban centres. I share Deputy Dooley's concern that we would not have a sufficient number of base stations and access in rural communities. It seems that Mr. Fahy is talking about a very advanced level of broadband service. In so far as it is accessible, broadband in the future will be very powerful, which is to be welcomed. My duty to the people I represent is to find out the degree to which ComReg is ensuring in a proactive way that the great discrimination that exists in terms of broadband and mobile phone coverage is being actively addressed.

How is ComReg on the side of those who are discriminated against? Throughout Cavan-Monaghan which I represent it is extraordinary how the culture and everything else have changed. The issue of coverage is raised with me regularly when I attend meetings or meet people in other settings. It has replaced other issues that arose in the past. I never attend a public meeting now at which the question of coverage does not arise. Somebody will say to me that he or she cannot get coverage on his or her phone and cannot get broadband. People tell me that their children are in college in Dundalk or Cavan or attending the Monaghan Institute and they cannot study at home because they cannot access to information. They might say they have a small business that is affected. In the village of Canningstown, near Bailieborough, County Cavan, there is an employer who could be employing up to 50 people. It is in an area that traditionally has not had employment. This staffing level is the equivalent of a few hundred jobs in an urban setting, but the employer tells me that he has real issues with coverage and broadband. How will ComReg correct this?