Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 94: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason mobile telephone services in terms of quality and cost cannot compare favourably with services in other European countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6635/06]

John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 101: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason mobile telephone charges here should be higher than in the rest of Europe and have poorer quality of service; his proposals to address these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6640/06]

Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 114: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent to which comparisons have been made in respect of electronic transmission costs here as compared with those throughout Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6642/06]

Gerard Murphy (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 145: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when he expects deregulation in the telecoms industry to manifest itself in terms of increased competition and benefit to the consumer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6605/06]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 159: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his proposals to improve the quality and coverage of mobile telephony here and availability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6585/06]

Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 165: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has issued directives or intends to so do with the objective of improving the quality and coverage of the mobile telephone service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6608/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 94, 101, 114, 145, 159 and 165 together.

I have no function in regulating pricing for services or quality of service in the telecommunications market. The regulation of telecommunications operators, including regulating of pricing and quality for mobile phone services 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.

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. The more competitive telecoms services that are on offer, the better in the long run for consumers, the sector and the economy.

In addition, 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 three 2005 indicate 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.