Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 121: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the fact that electronic transmission, mobile phone and other telecommunications costs here are above those in competing jurisdictions; his plans to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2061/06]

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 122: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if a directive will issue to ComReg to regulate mobile phone termination charges; Ireland's position in the ranking of mobile phone charges across the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2099/06]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 156: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his policy to reduce call or other service charges applicable to the electronic transfer of money, documents or messages with a view to bringing the charges here and the costs on the industry down to those applicable in other European economies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1970/06]

Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 169: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the way in which he proposes to ensure the availability of a cost effective and competitive electronic transmission or messaging service with particular reference to the needs of industry and the reduction in charge or call costs [2041/06]

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 171: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if electronic or transmission costs here in respect of money or other electronic messages can be brought into line with the lower costs applicable in other European jurisdictions [2033/06]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 177: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views on whether mobile telephone services and costs here compare favourably with other European countries; his plans to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1977/06]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 190: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the fact that electronic transmission costs here compare unfavourably with the cost in other jurisdictions; his proposals to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2040/06]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 210: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason mobile telephone service to customers here ranks among the worst and most expensive in Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1968/06]

Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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Question 217: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views on the often hidden level of charges for add-on and internet features on 3G mobile network options; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2119/06]

Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 219: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the steps he proposes to take to bring mobile telephone costs and quality of service here into line with the rest of Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1972/06]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 220: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his proposals to issue instructions or directives to ensure the lowering of transmission costs or call charges for those involved in electronic transmission of information or funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2039/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 121, 122, 156, 169, 171, 177, 190, 210, 217, 219 and 220 together.

I have no function in regulating pricing for services, termination costs or quality of service in the telecommunications market. The regulation of telecommunications operators, including regulating of pricing for phone services, mobile phone termination costs and quality of service is the responsibility of the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, in accordance with the requirements of the Communications Regulation Act 2002 and regulations which transpose the EU regulatory framework for electronic communications.

The provision of telecommunications services is a matter in the first instance for the private sector companies operating in a fully liberalised market regulated by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. The regulation of financial service costs in this State is a matter for the Irish Financial Services Regulator Authority.

As Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, I have responsibility for overall telecoms policy. 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.

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. In March 2004 my predecessor issued policy directions to ComReg, including a direction on competition.

The direction on competition mandates ComReg to focus on competition as a key objective, with a particular focus on competition in the fixed and mobile markets and to implement, where necessary, remedies which counteract or remove barriers to entry and support entry by new players to the market and entry into new sectors by existing players and to have particular regard to the following also: market share of new entrants; ensuring that the applicable margin attributable to a product at the wholesale level is sufficient to promote and sustain competition; price level to the end user; and the potential of alternative technology delivery platforms to support competition.

ComReg has, as one of its key objectives, under the Communications Regulation Act 2002, the promotion of competition in the exercise of its functions. Competition in the fixed and mobile markets will drive down prices for consumers. I have no information to say that Irish mobile charges are generally the highest in Europe. However, ComReg's quarterly key data for the Irish communications market for quarter four 2005 indicates that the average revenue per user, ARPU, for Ireland is €47 per month, second only to Switzerland at €48 per month. The EU ARPU is €30 per month.