Noel Coonan (Fine Gael)

I support Senator O'Toole in his call for a debate on the telecom regulator. The difficulties facing Smart Telecom have been mentioned in this House this morning and I would like to see other problems included in the debate.

Last Saturday week thunder storms in my area caused Perlico customers to lose telephone services. Since then businesses and residences have been unconnected, without telephone lines and broadband. As Senator O'Toole pointed out, one is likely to have trouble with picture quality if one does not get a television and aerial from the same company.

That a person, in this day and age, can be without a telephone line for ten days is a serious issue that needs to addressed. Up to last night services had not been restored and I support the call for a debate on this matter.