Dáil debates

Thursday, 19 October 2006

 

Telecommunications Services.

4:00 pm

Photo of Noel DempseyNoel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)

I agree with the Deputy that the situation that emerged on 2 October, whether it is addressed by legislation or regulation, should not happen. I am not sure whether a 24-hour notice would do much good in similar circumstances and, therefore, I will maximise the notice customers will receive of being cut off.

Everybody following the telecommunications industry knew there had been signs for some time, and more frequent signs in the three or four weeks leading up to the cut-off, that there was a major problem. Smart Telecom also knew that. We all beat up on Eircom occasionally but, in this instance, Smart Telecom was also not a shining knight. This is an industry and one company owed another money. I do not care who owes money to whom but I care if customers are cut off as a result, and that is what I want to address.

The Deputy referred to local loop unbundling, number portability and so on. These are matters for the regulator and they have been legislated for. Talks are ongoing between the regulator and the industry to ensure they are rolled out as quickly as possible.

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