Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

I also worked in the United States. I recall working in a bar in New Orleans. An identical scam was in operation across the road from it, which I watched day after day. People went in, were ripped off and came out again. It is interesting to hear of the Deputy's similar experiences.

If the broadcaster is in a contractual arrangement with the premium rate service provider, then it is a service provider according to the terms of amendment No. 11 and, in such instances, it would be subject to ComReg. However, if it were not, and there will be such instances, it would be a matter for the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland to regulate whether something is within its broadcasting code of practice, a matter with which the Department is also involved separately. There are mechanisms by which the authority regulates this aspect. This is an appropriate division because one is a commercial, telecommunications premium rate service and must be regulated by ComReg because it has real expertise in that area. The other is a broadcasting standards issue which the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland regulates. This is not a silo approach, it is a clear differentiation. We have been through this debate several times. It is clear to me this Bill provides the mechanism for us to protect the consumer against premium rate scams and that is our primary intention.

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