Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail)

I join Senators Finucane and Leyden in calling for an urgent debate in the House to discuss the problems with Smart Telecom. Given the House is considering an emergency transport Bill today, surely it would be possible to prepare emergency legislation in respect of Smart Telecom. It is important for consumers and customers to be protected. It is outrageous that more than 40,000 people have been affected by the current difficulties. I should mention, to meet conflict of interest requirements, that I am a customer of Smart Telecom. It was unfair of Eircom to take the approach it took last night. While I recognise Smart Telecom owes Eircom some money, there are easier ways to deal with the matter. There must be an arbitration process where the regulator can take control of moneys owed to Smart Telecom, thereby protecting Eircom. This should be thrashed out in legislation. It is unacceptable that Smart Telecom simply issued a statement on last night's news to inform customers that their telephones were being disconnected. As Senator Leyden pointed out, many small businesses and households can now only use the emergency numbers.

On the comments by Senator Norris on the misuse of Shannon Airport for prisoners——