Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 57: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his Department or the regulator has had discussions with a company (details supplied) with reference to encouragement of competition and provision of extra services in the telecoms sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14528/05]

Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 81: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has had discussions with representatives of Eircom or other telecom companies with a view to future policy in the area of mobile phone services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14505/05]

Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 92: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of bodies, agents or agencies with whom he or agencies under his aegis have had discussions with regard to the future provision of telecommunications services, such as state of the art mobile phone technology; the outcome of such discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14520/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 158: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has had discussions with representatives of Eircom or other telecom companies with a view to future policy in the area of mobile phone services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14736/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 169: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of bodies, agents or agencies with whom he or agencies under his aegis have had discussions with regard to the future provision of telecommunications services, such as state of the art mobile phone technology; the outcome of such discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14750/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 175: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his Department or the regulator has had discussions with a company (details supplied) with reference to encouragement of competition and provision of extra services in the telecoms sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14758/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 57, 81, 92, 158, 169 and 175 together.

As Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, I have responsibility for overall telecoms policy, and my main goal in this policy is to create conditions for sustainable growth and competition that will benefit the economic and social development of Ireland and facilitate competitive services.

It is my belief that improving the market conditions to enhance competition is the best way to drive down mobile phone charges to the end user. The more competitive telecoms services that are on offer, the better in the long run for consumers, the sector and the economy.

My officials and I regularly meet representatives from the industry on an ongoing basis to exchange views. These meetings can cover the full range of telecoms issues, including the mobile phone sector. I can confirm that I have met representatives from Energis, Eircom, Esat and Vodafone as well as other interested parties and organisations. Meetings between the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, and the telecoms sector are a matter for that organisation.

The regulation of telecommunications operators, including the mobile phone operators, is the responsibility of ComReg in accordance with the requirements of the Communications Regulation Act 2002 and regulations made under the EU Regulatory Framework for Electronic Communications.