Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)
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Question 135: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position regarding the European Commission's proposals for a single market for radio waves; the effect of this on the licensing radio spectrum here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27884/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The recent communication from the European Commission to Council and Parliament outlined its proposals for changes in how the radio spectrum should be managed. It is the initial stage of the process and Ireland will actively participate in the process.

Traditionally, the radio spectrum has been licensed on the basis of assigning particular frequency bands for specific uses though variations arise between different member states. This is often referred to as a command and control approach. This approach no longer seems appropriate for electronic communications services in a world of accelerated technical development, where compartmentalisation of services becomes increasingly difficult due to digitisation and convergence with a technology being able to deliver a combination of communications services, such as television, telephony and broadband access.

The radio spectrum is managed by member states at the national level and in international co-ordination. The Commission's proposals focus on the development of a harmonised framework and on the introduction of new approaches for managing the radio spectrum, such as a market-based approach. Member states will continue to manage the spectrum in the future.