Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 96: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when he expects mobile telephone costs here to become the lowest in Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20743/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I have no function in setting the prices for the mobile phone market. The setting of prices for mobile phone users is a matter in the first instance for the private sector companies operating in a fully liberalised market.

The regulation of telecommunications operators, including regulatory issues surrounding pricing in the mobile phone market is the responsibility of the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) in accordance with the requirements of the Communications Regulation Act 2002 and the Regulations which transpose the EU Regulatory Framework for Electronic Communications.

I have no information to say that Irish mobile charges are generally the highest in Europe. The information I have indicates the following: Ireland has a mobile phone penetration rate of 102%, which shows the appetite for Irish consumers for these types of services and the variety of mobile services in the Irish market including 3G services. Revenue Market shares: Vodafone 46.5%, O2 39.7%, Meteor 13.8%. The price of fixed calls in Ireland is better than the EU average for both national and international calls for residential and business customers. '3 Ireland' which is Ireland's newest mobile network, launched its '3 Pay' product (i.e. its new Pre-pay service) on 16 May last, this launch should increase competition and give consumers more choice.