Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)

ComReg is independent in the exercise of its functions and it would be inappropriate for me to comment in detail on its work. However, I have noted its recent findings in the report, Market Analysis — Wholesale Access and Call Origination on Public Mobile Telephony Networks, in which it designated the mobile telephone companies, O2 and Vodafone, as having significant market power and concluded the market was not effectively competitive because of their joint dominance. I note also that the European Commission supported this finding, which was notified in accordance with Regulation 20 of the framework regulations, SI 307 of 2003, and Article 7 of Directive 2002/21/EC of the European Parliament and the Council on a common regulatory framework for electronic networks and services.

A new regulatory framework was introduced in 2003 which was designed to ensure competition between providers, some of which dominate for historical infrastructural reasons thereby giving them market advantage. As Minister with responsibility for telecommunications policy, I welcome any developments that improve competition in the sector. The more competitive telecommunications services that are on offer the better in the long run for consumers, the sector and the economy.

ComReg has, as one of its key objectives under the Communications Regulation Act 2002, the promotion of competition in the exercise of its functions. Competition in the fixed and mobile markets will drive down prices for consumers. Under the new European framework, ComReg's basis for intervening in a market is now predicated on finding an operator dominant in a given market. I also welcome the interest shown by the Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources in this regard and compliment it on its comprehensive review of the mobile telephone market and its associated report.

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