Dáil debates

Wednesday, 3 March 2010

Communications Regulation (Premium Rate Services and Electronic Communications Infrastructure) Bill 2009: From the Seanad

 

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

I am glad the Bill has been passed. We took some liberties in respect of it that are not part of common practice in the House. Halfway through the process, we added an entirely new section which has nothing to do with premium rate services. That section is designed to facilitate the State in opening up ducting that is already in place in various areas in order to allow public and private companies to lay broadband fibre. That is an important development and we were probably right in facilitating it in this Bill because legislation which would be suitable for this purpose is not forthcoming at present. Opposition parties, even though they pointed out the unusual nature of the process, assisted in facilitating this development.

I encourage the Minister and his Department to go a little further in respect of broadband and ducting. Now that we have done what we should be doing with State-owned ducting infrastructure, we should consider, by means of regulation, opening privately-owned infrastructure up to fibre to be provided from the marketplace. In addition, the promised one-stop-shop - which has been on the agenda for some time- should be put in place.

I thank the Minister's officials for the briefings they provided. Whenever Members have sought advice from them, it was given.

Seanad amendments reported.

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