Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)

I support everything Senator Leyden has said. This is a classic example of the consequences of privatisation with the recent arrival of Babcock & Brown from Australia. They know that Smart Telecom is in trouble and are attempting to destroy it with a highly irresponsible action. The regulator is trying to increase competition in the market. Eircom should not forget that the taxpayer initially paid for the infrastructure for the service it provides. The company has been reluctant to co-operate in unbundling the local loop to allow services in. This is an example of a company which attempted to enter the market and might potentially be destroyed by this move. I deplore Eircom's action. It is doing nothing to help liberalise the market. If anything, it will set it back.