Results 5,141-5,160 of 6,044 for speaker:John O'Mahony

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Applications (27 Jan 2016)

John O'Mahony: 89. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine why a person did not receive payment under the areas of natural constraint scheme; if a person can appeal a decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3402/16]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Electronic Communications Markets: Commission for Communications Regulation (27 Jan 2016)

John O'Mahony: The purpose of this morning's meeting is to engage with representatives of the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, on its regulatory role in the sphere of electronic communications markets, including broadband markets and the quality of mobile phone coverage in Ireland. On behalf of the joint committee, I welcome the chairperson, Mr. Jeremy Godfrey, and the other ComReg...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Electronic Communications Markets: Commission for Communications Regulation (27 Jan 2016)

John O'Mahony: I thank Mr. Fahy and Mr. Godfrey for a lot of information on this, along with their unusual presentation. The one statistic that jumped out at me was that the service satisfaction with mobile phone services has increased from 76% in 2013 to 90% in 2015. I have long stated, along with other members, that we want broadband to come on stream as quickly as possible but it will only happen...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Electronic Communications Markets: Commission for Communications Regulation (27 Jan 2016)

John O'Mahony: I just wanted to kick it off, not start a revolution. It is a real issue for all of us and the people whom we represent. I am not saying ComReg has the solution to it but what frustrates everybody is that nobody seems to know why it has happened.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Electronic Communications Markets: Commission for Communications Regulation (27 Jan 2016)

John O'Mahony: We will keep it moving.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Electronic Communications Markets: Commission for Communications Regulation (27 Jan 2016)

John O'Mahony: Deputy Moynihan is first on the list. If he wants to make a proposal, he can.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Electronic Communications Markets: Commission for Communications Regulation (27 Jan 2016)

John O'Mahony: I ask the witnesses to respond to what has been said.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Electronic Communications Markets: Commission for Communications Regulation (27 Jan 2016)

John O'Mahony: I ask for a response before we take any further questions.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Electronic Communications Markets: Commission for Communications Regulation (27 Jan 2016)

John O'Mahony: An unusual situation has arisen at the meeting in that there appears to be just one overriding question. I am going to allow members to speak so that they can make their points. Deputy McEntee is next. I ask her to speak just on the mobile phone coverage issue. I ask members to confine their questions to two or three minutes, because I want to let everyone in.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Electronic Communications Markets: Commission for Communications Regulation (27 Jan 2016)

John O'Mahony: Absolutely. I want to confine the debate to this issue.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Electronic Communications Markets: Commission for Communications Regulation (27 Jan 2016)

John O'Mahony: I will let everyone in. I want to give an opportunity for a full response.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Electronic Communications Markets: Commission for Communications Regulation (27 Jan 2016)

John O'Mahony: Every point is important. Has Mr. Godfrey concluded?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Electronic Communications Markets: Commission for Communications Regulation (27 Jan 2016)

John O'Mahony: I want to maintain order.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Electronic Communications Markets: Commission for Communications Regulation (27 Jan 2016)

John O'Mahony: I will attempt to sum up what we are hearing. Mr. Godfrey is clearly telling us that his office is fulfilling its remit. In that context, he has said that types of phones and so on have changed over the years. Based on what he has heard today, does he agree that if his office is fulfilling its remit and change is taking in place in the types of devices being used, there needs to be a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Electronic Communications Markets: Commission for Communications Regulation (27 Jan 2016)

John O'Mahony: I have one final question. Mr. Fahy mentioned a phone mast that was not renewed which could have affected coverage in Spiddal. Are there many such instances throughout the country? What we all want is to get to the root cause of this. Is this a widespread issue or is it merely in one case? Mr. Godfrey might respond to all the questions and we will see where we can go from there.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Electronic Communications Markets: Commission for Communications Regulation (27 Jan 2016)

John O'Mahony: In that case, will Mr. Godfrey send it to the clerk to the committee in order that all members will get it?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Electronic Communications Markets: Commission for Communications Regulation (27 Jan 2016)

John O'Mahony: The frustration is that they are not able to use them in a way they were able to use them.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Electronic Communications Markets: Commission for Communications Regulation (27 Jan 2016)

John O'Mahony: There is a vote called in the House. At this stage, I suggest we suspend and Mr. Godfrey can answer the questions that have been put to him when we resume. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Electronic Communications Markets: Commission for Communications Regulation (27 Jan 2016)

John O'Mahony: I invite Mr. Godfrey to respond to some of the questions put.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Electronic Communications Markets: Commission for Communications Regulation (27 Jan 2016)

John O'Mahony: That is really important. Obviously, the witnesses can give some answers today but it is important that whatever committee is in place in a month's time would get answers on their reflections on the actions taken. If the remit ComReg has at present is not matching the demands, then something needs to change. That is a reasonable assertion.