John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 410: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason a company (details supplied) has been given a licence to operate here; his views on whether competition is needed in the areas in which it operates to ensure a better service for customers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1295/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The licensing or authorisation of operators in the telecommunications sector is the responsibility of the regulator for the sector, the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. ComReg has statutory independence in the exercise of its functions and the Minister has no function in the matter. NTL, which offers a telephony service, a cable television service and a broadband service was licensed by the former Office of the Director of Telecoms Communications, ODTR, now ComReg.

The EU regulatory framework implemented in 2003 does not provide for the regulation of retail broadcasting but contract law applies equally to telecommunications operators as to all other commercial operators and the enforcement of contractual obligations falls within the remit of the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs. I am considering proposals to extend ComReg's powers to regulate retail broadcasting services in the interest of consumer protection.