Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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Question 116: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he intends to amend the regulatory system for ComReg in view of the recent failure by the Regulator in its legal bids to progress the local loop unbundling of the Eircom network and the opening of the mobile phone operators networks to other retail operators and will he comment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20770/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, is independent in the exercise of its functions under the provisions of the Communications Regulation Act of 2002 and the transposed EU Regulatory Framework. However, as part of my overall policy-making role for the sectors for which I am responsible, I keep the operations of all the bodies under the aegis of my Department under review and where improvements are necessary, to develop the overall environment in which the sector operates, they will be made.

It is in this context that I have recently brought forward legislative proposals, which will, among other things, give enhanced enforcement powers to ComReg. These powers will allow ComReg to enforce regulatory decisions to support the development of competition in the market. I also recently announced proposals to give ComReg concurrent competition law powers in the telecoms sector, which will allow them to investigate and take action in issues such as abuse of dominance.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 118: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if in the aftermath of the sale of Eircom he intends to use his statutory powers to ensure the rapid progression of local loop unbundling, broadband provision and an accelerated programme for the upgrading and updating of the telecommunications sector with a view to taking this country to the leading edge in the European league; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20695/06]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 334: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if in the aftermath of the sale of Eircom he intends to use his statutory powers to ensure the rapid progression of local loop unbundling, broadband provision and an accelerated programme for the upgrading and updating of the telecommunications sector with a view to taking this country to the leading edge in the European league; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20820/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 118 and 334 together.

The provision of telecommunications infrastructure and 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. In addition, Local Loop unbundling is a matter for the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, under the Communications Regulation Act of 2002 and the transposed EU regulatory framework for Electronic Communications Networks and Services.

The sale of Eircom, which is not a State company, does not affect or change the regulatory environment in the telecoms sector.