Mr. Kevin O'Brien:

I thank Senator Coghlan for raising this point. I spoke about how we manage spectrum. We have a competitive mobile marketplace. If we maintain proper levels of competition and if we give the operators more spectrum in a way that ensures they use it competitively, one will, as Senator Coghlan described the situation in his home, have choice. There will be choice between networks and the ability over time to switch network. What happens in the marketplace is that operators respond to switching. If they discover they are losing customers in the areas of poor coverage, they respond and they invest. In some ways, his story captures a very important point about choice and competition.

In respect of the specific area of west Dublin, it would be very useful if Senator Coghlan would give us the specifics after the meeting and we can follow up with relevant operators. It is the case for the Eircom network that distance from the exchange is important or sometimes there are housing estates with split lines which were built a certain way before broadband. The UPC network has covered a great many housing estates in west Dublin but there may be specific places where it has not gone. Perhaps the Senator would share the location and we will follow up on it.