Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

We have had this discussion previously. I think there is a balance between the discretion of ComReg in this regard and our obligations as legislators to ensure that the key provisions regarding access in legislation we put forward are effective. If there is, therefore, a concern, and in this case a significant one, that 40% of the population may have difficulty in accessing certain forms of access, then it behoves us to ensure legislatively that these provisions in the Bill are effective and that where we delegate powers we do so with clear expectations. Regarding section 41, I note that section 41(3) also has a capacity for the Minister to prescribe measures to be taken by providers for the purposes of giving effect to the section.Will the Minister of State indicate whether the Minister would use his or her powers - in this case his powers - under section 41, in cases where the requirements specified by the commission do not address the issue of offline access to ensure that gap is addressed?