Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 135: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to a recent European Commission report showing that consumers here are paying some of the highest Internet rates in Europe; if his attention has been drawn to the Commission's concern that Ireland's Internet provider market is not sufficiently competitive; if he plans to take any action in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3582/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The regulation of telecommunications operators is the responsibility of the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, in accordance with the requirements of the Communications (Regulation) Act 2002 and regulations made under the EU regulatory framework for electronic communications.

I understand, following consultation with the Deputy by my officials, that the article to which the Deputy refers deals with the cost of local loop unbundling. ComReg has undertaken a number of initiatives to improve local loop unbundling and stimulate competition. These include consulting on the potential reduction of the wholesale price for line share, the use of a phone line for broadband while Eircom keeps control of the phone line for calls — ComReg has suggested that the price of this should be reduced from €9 to 39 cent; directing Eircom, in January 2005, to commence work on development of improved processes which will allow other operators to offer effective voice and broadband products on their own infrastructure using LLU. The acceleration of local loop unbundling should stimulate improved competition and, thus, better prices for consumers