Mr. Torlach Denihan:

I thank the Deputy and will make a couple of points. There have been significant issues with regard to access for the mobile providers to motorways and roads in terms of provision of infrastructure. When the motorways first were being built, access was quite difficult. That was unfortunate, and access has remained problematic. There is engagement between the industry and the National Roads Authority, facilitated by the Departments of Transport, Tourism and Sport and Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, and these difficulties are now being addressed, but there will be a catch-up period. Again, we share the Deputy's frustration, because a dropped call is missed revenue from a company's perspective. It is interesting that the National Roads Authority, NRA, has the power to charge telecommunications companies for use of the existing ducts that run along its roads. Unfortunately, the charges associated with accessing these ducts are so prohibitive that it is cheaper for operators to actually build their own. Consequently, there is a whole range of issues there.

The Deputy mentioned a number of issues, including prices, the quality of mobile coverage and the issue pertaining to Dunboyne. Perhaps if we can take the Dunboyne issue offline, Eircom can follow up with the Deputy later, unless Mr. Galvin wishes to add anything. I will ask my colleague Dr. Gary Healy to comment on prices and then Mr. Mark Hughes, from 3 and O2, to talk about some of the mobile coverage issues mentioned by the Deputy.