Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)

I am disappointed that the Minister will not use his influence to change the policy. I accept that ComReg may fear a legal challenge. Nevertheless, the Minister is the man in charge. We are talking about a potential 20% reduction in charges to the retailer. The Minister has a responsibility to act on this matter, rather than wait for the EU to take action.

The Minister referred to roaming charges. Without crossing the political border, a mobile telephone user can incur roaming charges. If one drives between Greencastle and Muff in east Inishowen, one will receive a text message welcoming one to the United Kingdom. Some years ago, the O2 network introduced a zero roaming charge for the whole of Ireland. However, this only applies to users going from one O2 network to another. Customers who, when near the Border, do not re-set their telephones to O2 find themselves in the Orange or Vodafone network and liable to roaming charges. Does the Minister have plans to get rid of roaming charges for cross-Border users if we are to comply with the legal requirements of the Good Friday Agreement?

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