Brendan Kenneally (Fianna Fail)

I agree with the Minister's comments on this amendment, especially his point that those who are compliant need not fear these regulations. We never should be afraid to introduce harsher penalties in any sphere of legislation. The people who will always obey the rules have nothing to worry about.

In the course of my research on Second Stage of this Bill I was struck by the weakness of the legislation to make compliant the players in this field. I was aware of this from having seen representatives of ComReg before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. Many of these players lead ComReg a merry dance through the courts and received only a slap on the wrist at the end of the process. I might have some sympathy for a similar amendment in other areas of legislation but communications technology changes so fast that if we must come back here with new legislation every time there is a problem we will be forever tying ourselves in knots. None of us knows where new technology will be in three, six or nine months' time. We must be ready to react quickly in such a situation. That is why I support the Minister's stance on this amendment.