Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)

I listened with great interest to the debate on the electoral register in the other House. The latest register contains many inaccuracies, including the names of people who are deceased. Currently, voting papers are franked before voting and may subsequently be declared invalid because they were not properly franked. Returning officers should take an interest in this. Research should be done to determine the polling booths in which these errors are made. Having been the subject of a close vote, I know that candidates become conscious of all these issues. I was in favour of electronic voting because of the serious deficiencies in the existing system but that debate is over.

I refer to an issue on which the media have focused, which is very important for the telecommunications industry, namely, the bid for Eircom by Babcock & Brown. Eircom will have had four owners in seven years if this bid is successful. Its turnover last year was €1.6 billion and it made profits of €160 million. The assets and capital infrastructure of this country have been sweated to facilitate venture capitalists making big money. In that context I urge the Government not to accede to Babcock & Brown's request for a commitment that it will not be pressurised into unbundling the local loop.

Telecommunications is in a mess at present. ComReg is at loggerheads with a telecommunications company, various companies have initiated litigation and we have a dismal record in provision of broadband. In that context, the concessions sought by Babcock & Brown may be unpalatable for the industry and I urge the Government to examine this. The Minister should come to this House to discuss telecommunications.