Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 353: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, further to Question No. 158 of 2 March 2006, if he will give the necessary statutory powers to the Commission for Communications Regulation to reduce and prevent anti-competitive behaviour by Eircom in delaying the opening up of the local loop to competitors; his views on whether the current liberalised telecommunications market has allowed monopolistic practices to develop; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10045/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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Local loop unbundling, LLU, is mandated by a European Council regulation and responsibility for its implementation is a matter for the independent regulator, the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, under the Communications Regulation Act 2002 and the transposed EU regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services.

Telecoms legislation is being prepared in my Department, which will, inter alia, provide for greater enforcement powers for ComReg, including provisions for indictable offences for serious infringements of the regulatory framework and for continuing fines, where appropriate. These powers will give ComReg the necessary muscle to enforce regulatory decisions to support the development of competition in the market. I hope to bring the Bill to Government shortly.