Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I had intended to second Senator Crown's amendment but that has already been done.

Will the Leader invite the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Rabbitte, to come before the House earlier in the new year in order that we might ascertain from him what has happened to the mobile telephone network in this country? I have been inundated with complaints from people, particularly those who live in the Border region, to the effect that since the G8 summit was held in Enniskillen - a welcome event which placed a focus on a beautiful part of the island - the mobile telephone network in the area has not been the same and that interference continues to be experienced. The service in the area is deplorable. I would like the Minister to come to the House to explain what is the difficulty in this regard. Deputy Smith tried to raise this issue by way of parliamentary question in the Dáil but he was ruled out of order because the Minister does not have direct responsibility in the area. It had been my impression that he is the Minister with responsibility for communications. I would like him to come before the Seanad early in the new year in order that we might discover exactly what is happening with the mobile phone network.