Dominic Hannigan (Labour)

Senators referred to the difficulties faced by small businesses at present. In this climate it is vital we ensure our small businesses are not being ripped off. I want to give two examples where I believe excessive profiteering is taking place by suppliers to small business. The first is in regard to company travel. Businesses must use airlines to go abroad to do business. We know the additional surcharge will not help but I want to draw the Leader's attention to the Visa charges applied by airlines. Three of the airlines based in Ireland charge a fee of €10 per user for every time the person uses a Visa card. However, British Midland only charges €6 per person so it is clear the others do not have to charge €10. It is excessive profiteering by some airlines and we need action.

The second example is in regard to mobile phone charges. We have spoken before in the House in regard to small businesses paying 66% higher mobile phone charges than the average for the rest of Europe. We will remember that a few months ago there was a storm about the fees being charged for the Apple iPod. Members may be aware the new BlackBerry is about to come out. In Newry and the Netherlands it will be free, but in Navan it will be €110 and the contract prices will be higher again. It is clearly another example where action is needed. I ask the Leader to try to get the communications regulator and the aviation regulator to come to the House to explain exactly what they will do about this issue.