Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 125: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his preferred options for the future development of broadcasting, telecommunications or other utility services for which his Department has overall responsibility; if the issue of the public and private mix in this area will be dealt with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34512/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 277: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his preferred options for the future development of broadcasting, telecommunications or other utility services for which his Department has overall responsibility; if the issue of the public and private mix in this area will be dealt with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34683/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 313: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the specific areas in which deregulation or competition has benefitted the consumer in respect of services provided by the various service providers accountable to his Department through the regulator or directly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34962/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 125, 277 and 313 together.

My Department's statement of strategy 2005-07 sets out goals, objectives, strategies and performance indicators relevant to the development of broadcasting, telecommunications and other utility services for which my Department has overall responsibility. The statement of strategy gives particular focus to strategies to enhance governance and regulation, and sets out the context in which developments in the private and public sectors will be managed under each sectoral heading.

The principal areas in which deregulation has applied to service providers operating under the aegis of my Department are: electricity, gas, broadcasting, telecoms and postal services. The principal benefits accruing to consumers in respect of these services include, where appropriate, broader service choices, greater long-term supply security; clearer investment conditions and price adjustments which are restricted to those justified by cost developments.