Dáil debates

Tuesday, 27 March 2007

Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage

 

9:00 am

Photo of Tommy BroughanTommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)

I wish to make a final comment on the amendments. All sides of the House are browned off talking about roaming and about the need for a more competitive market. The information was not forthcoming from ComReg to the joint committee and neither did the Minister's Department have the information. There is a dearth of information.

I welcome the Minister's announcement about amendment No. 10 as it will bring the amendment into effect. The proposal for ten days notice of withdrawal is a step forward. It would be preferable if it were legislated for but I acknowledge the Minister has made a step forward and I hope the statutory instrument will be enacted speedily.

I acknowledge that Regtel is well intentioned but the issue of convergence is not dealt with in this Bill. All the experts who discussed the Broadcasting Bill with the committee referred to convergence which will allow users to view television stations and websites on their mobiles.

Amendment No. 12 is the most important of these amendments. The EU has noted that broadband in not ubiquitous but it cannot become so if a universal service obligation is not in place. The amendment dealing with service is important. I observed the Taoiseach speaking about the health services when I was doing the Johnny Giles commentary on the Order of Business for RTE with the political commentators. We commentated on the performance of Deputies Kenny and Rabbitte and the Taoiseach. I thought the Taoiseach was living on a different planet when he was speaking about health. Does the Minister not receive complaints about the service providers in telecommunications as Deputies Durkan and Crowe have observed? Drastic action is required.

Senior citizens living in my constituency complained that when one telephones a certain company, one is passed from Dublin to Belfast to Limerick to Cork and back to Dublin. A person is left in cyberspace, floating around the island.

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