Kathryn Reilly (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Will the Leader indicate if it would be possible to arrange a debate with the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources on the matter of inadvertent roaming charges?

The reason I bring up this issue is that it has been raised in the Northern Ireland Assembly of late and there is a campaign around it. It impacts on consumers and residents on both sides of the Border, especially those along the Border regions. Deregulation is taking place at the moment in respect of roaming charges. It gives until 30 June to notify the regulatory authority to monitor and bring in penalties for service providers which are not advising consumers in respect of inadvertent roaming charges.

Yesterday there was a debate on EU scrutiny and the work programme. I went away to think about how we could discuss roaming charges in terms of the Single Market and current roaming regulations are something we could discuss as well. This is why I am requesting that we bring in the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Rabbitte. Of the four service provider organisations in the South, three are in the North as well. They are part of the same group of companies, they are sister companies and they all report to the same parent company. We should discuss roaming charges because it is important in terms of development along the Border regions. It affects businesses, ordinary people, families and it is something we should discuss in the House.